DAILYREPORT

🦁 Top Story

The Lions will welcome rookies on July 25 and veterans on July 28 to begin their 2026 training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park. The team will not participate in joint practices this year because Dan Campbell believes their usefulness has worn out and they can get more work done on their own. The month ahead provides valuable time for players returning from injuries, including safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph and offensive lineman Ben Bartch.

📰 Headlines

• Sam LaPorta is making progress after back surgery that ended his 2025 season, delivering positive news ahead of camp.

• Isaac TeSlaa is one of the biggest winners of the offseason program and is primed for a massive leap in workload in 2026.

• Dan Campbell sounds optimistic about the rebuilt offensive line, saying "I like those guys" and specifically praising Larry Borom and the move of Sewell to left tackle.

• Jared Goff was sacked 38 times last year and took 18 sacks in an eight-game stretch, making the revamped O-line critical for 2026 success.

🎙️ Podcast & Media Picks

The Lions' official podcast "Twentyman in the Huddle" has featured recent episodes with the 2026 draft class and conversations with offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. The Pride of Detroit PODcast's Midweek Mailbag breaks down OTA storylines and roster battles heading into the 2026 season. Locked On Lions, hosted by analyst Matt Dery, delivers daily coverage with expert local analysis, special guests, and breaking news from the Lions locker room and around the NFL.

📊 Season Watch

Theme A — Trenches Rebuild

One of the Lions' major offseason goals was to fix the offensive line after Frank Ragnow's retirement and injuries destabilized the unit. Graham Glasgow was cut (due to an $8.4 million cap hit) and Taylor Decker was released when he refused a pay cut. The Lions signed Cade Mays to a three-year, $25 million deal at center and Larry Borom to a $5 million contract to fill the tackle hole. When the Lions drafted Clemson right tackle Blake Miller at No. 17, the rebuild of Detroit's offensive line began to come into focus. Detroit added five new offensive linemen this offseason, signaling just how committed the organization is to rebuilding depth and competition up front.

🗓️ Lions History & All-Time Greats

Barry Sanders: The Day the Perfect Storm Began

Barry Sanders rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions (1989–1998), becoming the first running back ever to do so. The 1988 Heisman Trophy winner became only the third person to gain more than 2,000 yards in a season, a feat he accomplished in 1997. In that remarkable 1997 season, Sanders rushed for 2,053 yards and gained another 305 yards on catches for 2,358 combined yards, earning NFL MVP honors and setting an NFL record with 14 consecutive 100-yard rushing games. He finished his career with 15,269 rushing yards and 99 touchdowns. Though Sanders retired after the 1998 season just 1,457 yards short of breaking the NFL's all-time rushing record, his legacy as one of football's most electrifying runners remains unmatched in Detroit.

🔮 What to Watch

• Training Camp Position Battles: Second-year guard Miles Frazier, Christian Mahogany, and Ben Bartch will compete for the left guard starting role, while Christian Mahogany opened last season as the starter but struggled and now the job is wide open.

• Secondary Health Rehab: Safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, who were sidelined during offseason workouts, will have one month to continue their rehab before training camp begins.

• Receiver Depth Surge: Detroit added four UFL wide receivers this week, and Campbell is clearly looking for competition at the back-end of the roster, setting up an intriguing training camp with depth spots up for grabs.