The Detroit Lions have just one game left in the 2025 NFL regular season, and it comes against a familiar foe — Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears — on Sunday, January 4.

When these two teams met earlier in the season on September 14, the Lions dominated in a 52–21 blowout win. Since then, however, the season trajectories have gone in opposite directions. Detroit has struggled down the stretch, while Chicago has surged into playoff positioning.

Despite being eliminated from postseason contention, Lions head coach Dan Campbell made it clear that Detroit is not approaching Week 18 with draft positioning in mind.

Dan Campbell: Lions Will Play to Win in Week 18

According to NFL projections, the Lions currently sit around the No. 15 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with a potential loss pushing them slightly higher. Still, Campbell emphasized that effort and evaluation remain the priority.

“Look, you can always find a lot out with one to go, and no, we’re not playing for the playoffs, but there are still things we can find out,” Campbell said.
“I expect the guys that we have here to give it what they got one more time.”

Dan Campbell Shuts Down Jared Goff Trade Rumors

With Detroit’s late-season collapse fueling speculation about roster changes, Campbell directly addressed rumors surrounding quarterback Jared Goff.

Appearing on 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday, December 30, Campbell left no room for doubt about Goff’s future with the Lions.

“Jared Goff is a stud. He’s an absolute stud,” Campbell said.
“He’s a winning quarterback in this league. He played at a very high level all season long.”

Campbell went even further, emphasizing Goff’s continued growth and leadership:

“He played even better than he did the year before. I’m thankful to have him. He’s a pro. He’s going nowhere.”

The comments effectively put an end to any Jared Goff trade talk ahead of the 2026 season.

Lions Positioned for Early 2026 First-Round Draft Pick

While Detroit will not move on from Goff, the Lions are positioned to add impact talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly along the offensive line or skill positions to better support their franchise quarterback.

NFL analyst Dan Parr noted that Detroit will own its earliest first-round pick since 2023, when the team selected Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell in the top 18.

“Detroit is backsliding into January, losing three in a row, including a Christmas Day nightmare in Minnesota,” Parr wrote.
“At least they can look back fondly at those selections.”

Week 18: Lions vs. Bears Game Details

The Week 18 matchup between the Lions and Bears kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 4, and will air on Fox.

The Bears, currently 11–5, cannot claim the NFC’s top seed, but a win over Detroit would secure the No. 2 seed and a Wild Card home game against the Green Bay Packers.

For Detroit, the finale offers a chance to end a three-game losing streak, evaluate young talent, and carry momentum into a critical offseason.