Detroit Lions 2026 Training Camp Preview: In Dan Campbell We Trust
With several teams kicking off their organized team activities this week, the NFL offseason is in full swing.
Teams have OTAs sprinkled in over the next three weeks before a month-long break until training camp begins in mid-to-end July.
We'll be reviewing the major offseason changes for all 32 teams in addition to previewing what to expect from each team as they head into training camp. Below is our 2026 training camp preview for the Detroit Lions.
Key Offseason Dates
Voluntary OTAs: May 27-29, June 2-4, June 9-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 16-17
Training camp: mid-July
NFL Hall of Fame game: Aug. 6
Key Additions:
Isiah Pacheco, RB
Greg Dortch, WR
Tyler Conklin, TE
Larry Borom, OT
Ben Bartch, OG
Cade Mays, C
D.J. Wonnum, DE
Damone Clark, LB
Roger McCreary, CB
Christian Izien, S
Re-Signed:
Tom Kennedy, WR
Malcolm Rodriguez, LB
Trevor Nowaske, LB
Rock Ya-Sin, CB
Avonte Maddox, CB
2026 NFL Draft Class:
Blake Miller, OT, Round 1
Derrick Moore, DE, Round 2
Jimmy Rolder, LB, Round 4
Keith Abney II, CB, Round 5
Kendrick Law, WR, Round 5
Skyler Gill-Howard, DT, Round 6
Tyre West, DE, Round 7
Key Losses:
Kyle Allen, QB
David Montgomery, RB
Kalif Raymond, WR
Taylor Decker, OT
D.J. Reader, DT
Roy Lopez, DT
Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE
Tyrus Wheat, DE
Alex Anzalone, LB
Grant Stuard, LB
Amik Robertson, CB
Analysis:
Don't expect the Lions to finish just one game above .500 and in third place in the NFC North again in 2026.
Detroit was hit hard by injuries last season, losing tight end Sam LaPorta for eight games, cornerback Terrion Arnold for nine, cornerback D.J. Reed for six, safety Brian Branch for five, safety Thomas Harper for five, and safety Kerby Joseph for 11.
The team was also hit by a run of bad luck too. Of the Lions' eight losses, five of them came in one-score games. So with a healthy roster and a little bit of good fortune, Detroit should look more like the team that went 15-2, won the division, and clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC the previous year.
Losing running back David Montgomery (716 yards rushing, eight touchdowns) and offensive tackle Taylor Decker, and linebacker Alex Anzalone (95 tackles, four tackles for loss, nine passes defended, one interception) will be big losses to overcome.
But Isiah Pacheco, rookie first-round pick Blake Miller, and Damone Clark could be adequate replacements. And the move that could have the biggest impact on next year's success: the team's hire of Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator.
Petzing inherits a high-octane offense that includes quarterback Jared Goff (4,564 yards, 38 touchdowns), running back Jahmyr Gibbs (1,223 yards, 13 touchdowns), and receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown (117 receptions, 1,401 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Jameson Williams (65 receptions, 1,117 yards, seven touchdowns), and Detroit should get back to outscoring opposing defenses at will.
A 12-plus win season and division title isn't out of the question for the Lions in 2026.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 8:04 PM.