The Detroit Lions are set to wrap up their 2025 season on Sunday, January 4, when they travel to face the Chicago Bears. With an 8–8 record and no path to the postseason, Detroit is officially playing out the string. Still, head coach Dan Campbell has made it clear the Lions won’t be easing up, even with nothing at stake in the standings.
Detroit’s playoff hopes officially ended on Christmas Day, when they fell at home to the Minnesota Vikings, 23–10. The loss was a disappointing way to spend the holiday and forced the Lions to begin shifting their focus toward preparations for the 2025–26 campaign.
While the Lions emerged from that game without any discipline from the league, one Vikings player did not.
NFL Hands Down Fine to Vikings Defender
Each week, the NFL reviews game footage and issues fines or other disciplinary actions for violations that occur during games. According to the league, these penalties are designed to reduce unnecessary danger and maintain fairness and integrity across the sport. The framework for these fines is jointly established each year by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
On Saturday, January 3, the league announced disciplinary action against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers for an incident that occurred during the Vikings’ win over Detroit. Rodgers was fined $17,389, one of the larger penalties issued that week.
The fine stems from a play at 14:14 of the third quarter, where Rodgers was flagged for unnecessary roughness and contact on a defenseless player. Although fined, Rodgers avoided suspension and remains eligible to play in Minnesota’s regular-season finale.
Rodgers has the option to appeal the fine. Appeals are reviewed by an independent panel of former NFL players—Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson—who are jointly selected by the NFL and NFLPA. Once a ruling is made, it is considered final.
Should Rodgers pay the fine, the funds will be distributed to the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation, organizations that support former players in need and promote athlete health and safety at all levels of football.
Lions Prepare for Rematch With Chicago
Detroit will now turn its attention to Chicago, a team it dominated earlier this season. In Week 2, the Lions overwhelmed the Bears with a 52–21 victory, a result that still looms large heading into the rematch.
While Detroit would love to play spoiler—similar to its late-season upset of Green Bay in 2022—the Bears have far more on the line this time around. Chicago remains in the playoff hunt and is motivated by both postseason implications and the memory of that early-season blowout.
As CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo noted earlier this week, it’s difficult to bet against a Bears team still fighting for position, especially one eager to respond after a 31-point loss earlier in the year.
Whether or not Detroit can derail Chicago’s plans remains to be seen—but even in a season without playoff rewards, the Lions appear determined to finish strong
