The Detroit Lions decided to sit Matthew Stafford because of a back injury against the Chicago Bears. As tough as it was for Stafford to rest, he knew it was the right decision for him longterm.

“Ultimately, I think, made the right decision,” Stafford said, via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. “Giving my pads to somebody else and go play.”

Stafford has been banged up a fair amount throughout his career but has usually been able to play through the injuries — which made it even more shocking that he couldn't go. Stafford had started 136 games in a row before turning the keys to the offense over to Jeff Driskel.

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Stafford said he hasn't thought about shutting it down for the year, and right now, his main goal is to get back onto the field as soon as possible.

“That’s not my thinking at the moment,” Stafford said. “My thinking is to try and be out there as soon as I possibly can to help us win… I was probably in one of the weirder places I’ve been mentally in a long time watching that game. Just trying to pull for the guys.”

It's unclear if he is expected to go this week against the Dallas Cowboys. If there are any questions about his long term health, the team should consider keeping him out. The Lions are currently sitting with a 3-5-1 record. Making the playoffs seem to be out of the question, especially because of how tough the NFC North is playing in 2019.