DETROIT — As the Detroit Lions prepare to face their former rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, on Sunday, December 14, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the spotlight extends beyond the gridiron to the personal life of Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his wife, Christen Harper Goff. Nearly five years after a contentious trade that shipped Goff from the Rams to Detroit, Christen Harper Goff shared in an exclusive interview that any lingering animosity has faded into the background. "It kind of feels like water under the bridge at this point," she told Us Weekly while promoting the Maytag Pet Pro Washer.
The trade, which occurred in January 2018, sent shockwaves through the NFL. Goff, then a rising star drafted first overall by the Rams in 2016, was packaged with a third-round pick to the Lions in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford, two first-round picks, and a third-rounder. It marked the end of Goff's tenure in Los Angeles, where he had led the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance in 2018. Since arriving in Detroit, Goff has revitalized his career, guiding the Lions to a 12-5 record in the 2023 season and a playoff berth, including a narrow 24-23 victory over the Rams in the NFC Wild Card round in January 2024.
Christen, 32, a native of Valencia, California, just 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles, reflected on the evolving emotions surrounding the matchup. "I’ve been here longer than Jared was with the Rams," she said. "He’s played more games as a Lion. It really does feel like so long ago. It doesn’t have that same taste in our mouths as it used to." This will be the fourth meeting between the teams since the trade, with Detroit holding a 2-1 edge. For Christen, the game carries a personal touch. "Of course, L.A. is where I’m from and it’s always awesome because my family gets to go to that game," she added. "My friends are at that game. It’s fun for that reason. But it really doesn’t feel like it used to."
"It just feels like another game at this point," Christen continued, emphasizing the normalization of the rivalry. The Lions, under head coach Dan Campbell, have transformed into contenders in the NFC North, bolstered by a stout defense and a balanced offense led by Goff. The Rams, meanwhile, remain a playoff staple in the NFC West, thanks to the steady hand of Stafford and the coaching of Sean McVay. Yet, for the Goffs, the focus has shifted from past grievances to building a life in the Midwest.
Amid the football schedule, the couple's offseason was anything but ordinary. In July, Christen and Jared welcomed their first child, daughter Romy, into the world, adding a new layer of joy to their family dynamic. The arrival came just weeks before the Lions' training camp began, thrusting Christen into the primary caregiving role during Goff's demanding professional commitments. "It’s been surprising in the best ways," Christen said of her experience with motherhood. "I really just feel like I don’t know what I was doing before she was here. I can’t even picture my life before her. It’s been so fun. Of course there are tough days and there are days that are a little challenging, but then she smiles and giggles and it just makes everything so fun."
With Romy now five months old, Christen described the challenges of balancing new parenthood with the rigors of NFL life. Jared's schedule kept him away for much of the early months, but his interactions with their daughter have been a highlight. "He’s been so busy throughout the first five months of her life," she explained. "Every time he comes home he gets the biggest smile, the biggest laughs. He knows how to make her just light up. And I’m like, ‘Excuse me, wait a second.’ But I just love to see them together. It’s truly so heart melting. I’m excited for him to have more time in the offseason with her."
The family has also introduced Romy to the world of professional football early on. Christen recently brought the infant to her first Lions game, where she and Romy twinned in matching outfits, a moment captured in family photos shared on social media. "It’s been fun to whisk her into this football world," Christen said. "She’s the best little game day buddy." This integration mirrors the experiences of other NFL families, where the sport's demands often intersect with personal milestones.
Beyond the baby, the Goff household includes their 90-pound golden retriever mix, Quincy, whose shedding adds another layer to daily life. Christen, who has modeled for brands like Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and pursued philanthropy, spoke candidly about the practicalities of maintaining a clean home amid the chaos. "I’m always needing help when it comes to keeping my home clean, staying on top of the laundry," she admitted. To address this, she highlighted the Maytag Pet Pro Washer, a product she's partnering with during the promotional period.
The Maytag Pet Pro Top Load System features a specialized filter and deep rinse option designed to capture pet hair effectively. "Maytag has just been amazing, and their Pet Pro Top Load System is truly game changing when it comes to laundry, especially if you have a dog at home," Christen said. "My dog is 90 pounds, so there’s a lot of pet hair everywhere. The filter just traps that pet hair, takes it off and everything looks super clean. I need my clothes to be looking a lot cleaner than they were before." The additional water usage and rinse assist the filter in lifting hair from fabrics, making it a boon for pet owners like the Goffs.
Fans interested in the product can enter a promotion to win their own Pet Pro Top Load Laundry System by visiting maytag.com/promotions, with entries accepted through January 1. This endorsement comes at a time when Christen is navigating multiple roles: mother, wife, pet owner, and public figure. Her openness about these aspects humanizes the high-profile life of an NFL quarterback's spouse, offering relatable insights into the blend of glamour and grounded reality.
Looking ahead, the December 14 game against the Rams could have playoff implications for both teams. The Lions, sitting atop the NFC North with a strong record, aim to solidify their position, while the Rams seek to climb in the West. For Jared Goff, returning to Los Angeles evokes memories of his early career highs, including the 2018 Super Bowl run where the Rams fell to the New England Patriots. Yet, Christen's perspective underscores growth: from trade fallout to family foundation.
As the season progresses, the Goffs' story resonates with themes of resilience and adaptation, common in the transient world of professional sports. With Romy's arrival and the fading of old rivalries, the family appears poised for continued success both on and off the field. Christen's excitement for more family time in the offseason hints at a future where football takes a backseat to personal joys, at least temporarily.
In a league where player movement is routine—over 200 trades occurred in the 2023 offseason alone—the Goffs' journey from Los Angeles to Detroit exemplifies reinvention. Christen's comments, shared exclusively with Us Weekly, provide a window into how such transitions affect not just athletes, but their loved ones. As Sunday's matchup unfolds, it will be more than a game; it's a chapter in an ongoing narrative of healing and new beginnings.