The Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers aren’t easing into the 2025 NFL season quietly — they’re diving in under the national spotlight in Canton, Ohio, to open the preseason with the Hall of Fame Game.
Both teams enter this year carrying lofty expectations. The Lions are fresh off an NFC Championship appearance and are hoping to take that next step toward the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the Chargers, with a new head coach and a reloaded defense, are looking to bounce back and make a serious playoff push of their own.
While many starters might sit, this game is far from meaningless. It’s the first chance for fans to get a real look at young talent — including promising rookies and camp standouts. Detroit has especially generated buzz with rising stars like Terrion Arnold, Isaac TeSlaa, and Jahmyr Gibbs taking major strides in training camp.
Even without Justin Herbert suiting up, there’s plenty of intrigue. All eyes will be on how each team’s depth holds up, which rookies shine, and who might earn themselves a bigger role when the real games begin. For the Lions, it’s another step in proving last year wasn’t a fluke — it was just the beginning.
The Wait Is Over: Lions Hit the Field in Star-Studded Preseason Debut
