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Lions Revamp Offseason: No Rookie Minicamp or Joint Practices
4 May
Summary
- Detroit Lions canceled rookie minicamp for the upcoming offseason.
- The team will not host joint practices for the first time since 2021.
- Offseason workouts began April 20, with OTAs starting May 27.
The Detroit Lions are navigating a revamped offseason leading up to the 2026 season. A key change involves the cancellation of rookie minicamp, traditionally used to integrate new players and evaluate free agents. This decision, made by general manager Brad Holmes, means rookies will still acclimate but without standard practices.
Furthermore, the Lions will not host joint practices, a staple since Dan Campbell's first year in 2021. This shift prioritizes internal improvement during training camp. The team's offseason conditioning and meetings began on April 20, marking the start of Phase 1.
Phase 2, focusing on individual and group work, is underway, leading into Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Detroit has scheduled three OTA sessions from May 27 to June 11. These sessions will allow rookies, like first-round pick Blake Miller, to practice against veterans, though live contact remains prohibited.
A mandatory minicamp is set for June 16-17, concluding the pre-training camp schedule. Training camp is expected to start in mid-to-late July, with the NFL's schedule release anticipated in mid-May.
