DAILYREPORT

🦁 Top Story

The full international slate of 2026 NFL games will be revealed today (May 13) at 9 a.m. ET on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football", with the complete 2026 NFL schedule release taking place tomorrow, May 14. Detroit's opponent in Germany is still undetermined, though a rumor suggests the Lions will face the Patriots in Germany. Meanwhile, the Lions will face off against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 for a "Thursday Night Football" matchup, marking the first primetime game leak.

📰 Headlines

• The Detroit Lions signed seven 2026 NFL Draft picks, including T Blake Miller (Clemson), EDGE Derrick Moore (Michigan), LB Jimmy Rolder (Michigan), CB Keith Abney II (Arizona State), WR Kendrick Law (Kentucky), DL Skyler Gill-Howard (Texas Tech), and DL Tyre West (Tennessee), along with 10 undrafted rookies. With no rookie minicamp this year, these players should appear in uniform for the first time when Organized Team Activities begin at the end of the month.

• Based on Vegas win totals, the Detroit Lions are projected to have the easiest 2026 NFL schedule. The Lions finished last in the NFC North last year, so a three-game portion of their schedule is filled with teams that finished last in their division (Giants, Titans, Cardinals).

• A video from the New York Giants appears to reveal the Detroit Lions' attempt at a massive Day 2 trade in the NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions traded up in the second-round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Michigan edge defender Derrick Moore, moving six spots—from 50 to 44—and spending Pick 128 (their second fourth-round pick) to get there.

• The 2026 NFL Draft may be a couple weeks old at this point, but the Detroit Lions aren't likely done adding players to their roster, as they still have a few roster spots open before Organized Team Activities and minicamp begin at the end of this month.

🎙️ Podcast & Media Picks

On Locked On Lions, Matt Dery highlights how the Lions' fourth-place finish sets up a favorable path, breaking down key games against the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Arizona Cardinals, and discusses whether expectations are now sky-high in Detroit with new additions like Blake Miller and Derrick Moore.

📊 Season Watch

Theme D — Offensive Coordinator Impact. The Detroit Lions hired Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator, joining the Lions in 2026 after spending the previous three seasons (2023-25) as the Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator. Over the duration of his three seasons leading Arizona's offense, the Cardinals ranked second in the NFL in rushing average (4.92) and were ninth in rushing yards (6,399). Petzing has schematic elements to his offense that make him a good fit in Detroit, most importantly his commitment to having a solid rushing attack. In 2024, the Cardinals rushed for 2,451 yards and 18 touchdowns with a 5.3 yards per carry average, the third most in Cardinals team history and the highest total since 1979, with Arizona's 5.3 yards per carry average the highest in team history and the 16th best average in NFL history.

🗓️ Lions History & All-Time Greats

Twenty-nine years ago this week: Barry Sanders' historic 1997 MVP season. In 1997, Barry Sanders rushed for 2,053 yards in the regular season and was co-awarded the NFL Most Valuable Player Award. Against the Chicago Bears, Sanders passed Eric Dickerson to become the second-ranked rusher for career yards behind Walter Payton. On December 21, 1997, Sanders entered the season finale against the New York Jets needing at least 131 rushing yards to reach 2,000 for the season; he reached the 2,000 mark on a two-yard run, finishing the game with 23 attempts for 184 yards and a touchdown, helping the Lions edge the Jets 13–10. Sanders recorded 14 straight 100-yard games in 1997—a standard that still stands as one of the most impressive individual stretches in NFL history. It remains one of the brightest single seasons in Lions franchise history, a reminder of what star power can accomplish even on a struggling team.

🔮 What to Watch

• Schedule release dominoes: Today at 9 a.m. ET on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football," the full international slate will drop, followed by the complete schedule release tomorrow evening. Lions fans will finally see the full 17-game slate, primetime allocations, and bye week placement.

• OTA attendance and installation: With no rookie minicamp this year, all eyes will be on Organized Team Activities beginning at the end of May to see how Petzing's offensive system takes shape and how quickly the new offensive line coheres under first-round pick Blake Miller.

• Amon-Ra St. Brown's mindset: The presence of a new OC and retooled supporting cast gives St. Brown a chance to refocus after a disappointing 2025. Early reports from workouts suggest renewed energy in the receiver room heading into camp.