By Sunday 
With a 15-2 season in the rearview and playoff redemption in mind, Detroit wastes no time getting to work.
Lions Back on the Grind—First!
The Detroit Lions are wasting zero time. While most NFL teams are still sipping iced coffees and easing into the preseason buzz, the Lions are already in full training camp mode—and they’re not alone. Sharing the early-bird badge with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Lions kicked off their 2025 grind ahead of the rest thanks to their participation in the upcoming Hall of Fame Game on July 31.
The buzz? Real. The goals? Unfinished. The work? Already underway in Allen Park.
“We Know What We Want to Do”
That’s straight from running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who didn’t even realize his team was among the first back on the field. But he’s locked in. The team is, too.
Coming off a 15-2 regular season—which would be legendary for just about any franchise, let alone the Lions—the sting of an early playoff exit still lingers. But no one’s talking much about that. Not out loud, anyway.
Instead, the approach is quiet, focused, and deliberate. “We know what we want to do, not too much talking about it,” Gibbs said. “Focus on the work to try to get back to that place.”
That place? NFC dominance. But this time, with a deeper playoff run.
Extra Reps, Extra Pressure?
With the Hall of Fame Game on the horizon, Detroit will get four preseason games—the most any team can have. That means more chances to tinker with lineups, evaluate rookies, and figure out how to fill key gaps (especially on defense).
Head coach Dan Campbell, in classic Campbell fashion, downplayed the early start. “I don’t know how much of a jump we’re getting, really,” he said. “But I guess you get an extra day or two for the young guys, for the rookies, so that’s good, right?”
Right. Because when your team just lost both coordinators, your All-Pro center retired, and injuries are already stacking up, every extra day counts.
Why It Matters
Let’s be honest: these early days probably won’t define Detroit’s season.
But the tone they set? That’s priceless.
The Lions are trying to mesh quickly, fill holes left by offseason departures, and recalibrate for another playoff push. The early start gives them time—not a guarantee, but a gift. And Campbell knows exactly how to make use of it.
So while other teams are still easing into July, the Lions are sweating under the Allen Park sun, with unfinished business and playoff scars driving every rep.
Let the grind begin.