The Detroit Lions quarterback and the model exclusively told PEOPLE on the NFL Honors red carpet that they are expecting a little girl soon

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Charna Flam

Charna Flam is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023. Her work has previously appeared on Variety, The New York Post, and The Wrap.
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Skyler Caruso

Skyler Caruso is a Writer and Reporter of PEOPLE Digital Entertainment. She joined PEOPLE in 2021, but has eight years of experience working in digital publishing with a focus on entertainment and pop culture news.
Published on February 6, 2025 10:04PM EST
Christen Harper and Jared Goff on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty; Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty
Jared Goff and Christen Harper are going to be parents!

The Detroit Lions quarterback and his wife spoke exclusively with PEOPLE at the NFL Honors red carpet on Thursday, Feb. 5, in New Orleans and revealed that they are expecting their first child together.

Goff told PEOPLE that after playing his last game of the season in January, he’s excited to be “around all these great players” and the fun leading up to the Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 Super Bowl, which will be between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I wish we were still playing, but this is nice to be here,” Goff confessed. The Lions were knocked out of the playoffs during the divisional round when they lost to the Washington Commanders on Jan. 17.

But now that he’s in his off-season, Goff revealed to PEOPLE what he’s most excited about. “I’m looking forward to becoming a dad,” the NFL star, 30, said.

“We’re just excited to enjoy this special time together and just soak up every second,” Harper, 31, added.

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue model also revealed to PEOPLE that they are expecting a baby girl who will be due at the start of the summer.

Christen Harper and Jared Goff on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty
Goff told PEOPLE that he’s “always dreamt” of becoming a father. Now that “it’s real,” he said he can’t wait. “I know it’ll add a new perspective to life, and it’ll be great.”

The expectant father also told PEOPLE that he thinks Harper will be the “best mom.” Adding, “I can’t wait to watch her be a mom.”

Harper echoed similar sentiments and said, “I know he’s going to be the best, and it’s just gonna be exciting to do this together as a team.”

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Jared Goff receives a kiss from his wife, Christen Harper on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.Nic Antaya/Getty
The expectant parents started dating in 2019 after they met through the private, membership-based dating app, Raya.

Then, three years later in June 2022, Goff proposed on a vacation with friends and the pair announced their engagement. The couple got married in Ojai, Calif. on June 22, 2024.