LIONSREPORT

🦁 Top Story

The Detroit Lions announced their 2026 regular season schedule, which includes eight nationally-televised games and a home game in Munich, Germany, marking Detroit's first international game since 2015. The Lions are set to play a fourth-place schedule in 2026 due to their finish last season. Based on projected win totals, the Detroit Lions have the easiest strength of schedule for the 2026 NFL season.

📰 Headlines

• Detroit is set for four primetime games in 2026, in addition to their international and annual Thanksgiving Day game in which Campbell and the Lions will host the Bears. The Lions travel to play the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football in Week 2, and travel to Carolina to face the Panthers on Sunday Night Football in Week 4.

• The Detroit Lions' opponent for their 2026 game in Munich, Germany, will be the New England Patriots, with the NFL officially announcing the Week 10 matchup on Wednesday morning. Amon-Ra St. Brown's mother hails from Cologne, and he has been dreaming of a return to Germany as a professional, noting that fans and football jerseys are increasingly visible in German sports shops.

• The Detroit Lions announced on Tuesday that they have signed all seven of their picks from the 2026 NFL Draft, with first-round pick Blake Miller completing the signing process. In addition to signing the draft class, the Lions also announced the signing of nine undrafted rookies.

• Four of the Lions' first five games are against teams that finished with a losing record last year: the Saints (6-11), Jets (3-14), Panthers (8-9), and Cardinals (3-14), and it would be disappointing if Detroit finished anything worse than 4-1 to start the year.

• Dan Campbell expressed that he doesn't want to do any joint practices this year, and suggested that because of the lack of joint practices, he may be more willing to play starters in the preseason more than he has in the past.

🎙️ Podcast & Media Picks

• Locked On Lions (Apple Podcasts): Recent episodes examine Detroit Lions fans' frustration over the Patriots game being shipped to Munich, analyze Jared Goff's national recognition as the NFC North's top quarterback, and explore the implications of the international matchup and possible departure of assistant GM Ray Agnew to Minnesota.

• Pride of Detroit Podcast (Apple Podcasts): The Lions' draft class breakdown and offseason roster moves continue to anchor recent episodes, with hosts discussing the team's all-business approach to free agency and early draft pick signings.

• Talking Grit: A Detroit Lions Podcast (Apple Podcasts): Recent episodes dive into the Lions' 2026 schedule, examining whether the schedule makers helped or hindered Detroit.

📊 Season Watch

Theme B: Schedule Regression Test

The Lions should have an opportunity to reclaim some mojo early in 2026, but the key will be finishing strong unlike they did last season during a three-game losing streak and four losses in a six-game stretch. Their final four-game stretch—featuring three divisional road games and a primetime Monday Night Football matchup with the Giants—will likely determine their postseason fate and whether they enter the playoffs with momentum. Brad Holmes says there was a little more "fire" this year after missing the postseason in 2025, with the GM focused on acquiring players to reestablish Detroit's gritty identity because "the urgency needed to be more pushed up on everything."

🗓️ Lions History & All-Time Greats

27 Years of Barry Sanders Magic

Barry Sanders rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions (1989-1998) and was the first running back ever to do so. The 1988 Heisman Trophy winner was also just the third person to gain more than 2,000 yards in a season, a feat he accomplished in 1997. In his final campaign, Sanders' 2,053 yards rushing and 305 yards in pass receptions created a combined 2,358 yards, setting a single-season record for running backs. He finished with 3,062 carries for 15,269 yards, 352 catches for 2,921 yards, and scored 109 touchdowns, and was selected to play in 10 Pro Bowls. Yet despite his brilliance, Sanders was a notable bright spot on a Lions franchise that had endured years of unsuccessful play, helping to lead the team to their first playoff victory in decades, but only won one playoff game throughout his ten-year career.

🔮 What to Watch

• OTA Participation: The 2026 Lions rookies will be in uniform for the first time when Organized Team Activities begin at the end of the month, with Week 1 OTAs running May 27-29. Watch for injury reports and how the new draft class integrates with the veteran core.

• Defensive Line Depth: GM Brad Holmes believes the team is the deepest they've been on the offensive and defensive line. Camp reports will reveal whether the trenches-focused offseason rebuild holds up against top competition.

• Early Schedule Execution: The Lions' 4-1 start is not just preferred—it's essential. If they stumble against the Saints, Jets, Panthers, or Cardinals, the narrative shifts immediately from "easy early schedule" to "missed opportunity" heading into the tougher November stretch.