The Detroit Lions' 2026 training camp is just days away.
The Lions' Back Together Weekend at its 2026 training camp is set for Sunday, Aug. 2, but Detroit stars will start trickling in beforehand. Rookies report to training camp on Saturday, July 25 and then Lions veterans arrive on Tuesday, July 28.
As the season creeps closer, ESPN shared its biggest training camp storyline for all 32 NFL teams.
For Detroit, ESPN asks if the Lions' Super Bowl window has closed.
Has Detroit's Super Bowl window closed? From 2023 to 2025, the Lions entered the season as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. However, they fell way short of expectations in 2025 and were faced with a lot of decisions to make this offseason. For starters, Detroit has hired Drew Petzing as the new
offensive coordinator and retooled the offensive line after releasing veteran linemen Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow.
Still, this offense has the potential to be one of the most explosive units in the league with quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams all returning. But keeping marquee players healthy could be critical to the squad remaining in contention. ESPN Analytics gives the Lions the best chance to win the NFC North at 38%. - Eric Woodyard, ESPN
First-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing inherits an offense that ranked tied-fourth in scoring offense, averaging 28.3 points per game.
Detroit needs to shore up a running game that saw its star running back Jahmyr Gibbs' yards per carry average shrink from 5.6 in 2024 to 5.0 in 2025. It also needs to protect its franchise quarterback better. Jared Goff was sacked a career-high 38 times last season.
After its offensive line struggles in 2025, the Lions spent in NFL free agency to ink former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays to a three-year, $25 million deal. The Lions also signed guard Ben Bartch, tackle Larry Borom and acquired interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs as part of the David Montgomery trade with the Texans. Lastly, Detroit drafted offensive tackle Blake Miller with the No. 17 overall pick out of Clemson.
Detroit has gotten good news on the injury front with tight end Sam LaPorta, too, who was just fully cleared for camp.
The pieces are in place for the Lions to be one of the NFL's most explosive offenses.
While there's health concerns and question marks surrounding the Lions' secondary, Detroit brought in D.J. Wonnum and Damone Clark to help Aidan Hutchinson rush opposing passers. The Lions also used its second-round draft pick on Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore.
After a disappointing 2025, some naysayers might be resigned to the idea that the Lions' Super Bowl window has closed. But, there's reasons to believe that 2025 was just a temporary roadblock and that the Lions can quickly return to championship contention in 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN highlights Detroit Lions' top training camp storyline
