DAILYREPORT

🦁 Top Story

The Detroit Lions' 2026 training camp runs from July 25 to Aug. 27 at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, Michigan. General manager Brad Holmes admitted there was "more fire" this year to get back on track after missing the postseason in 2025. Holmes and coach Dan Campbell focused on adding players to reestablish Detroit's gritty identity.

📰 Headlines

• The Lions replaced departed tackles Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow with Cade Mays at center and rookie Blake Miller at right tackle, allowing Penei Sewell to shift to left tackle.

• Kerby Joseph offered reassurance on his health heading into camp, with a focus on overcoming injuries at the safety position.

• The Lions fired offensive coordinator John Morton after one season and hired Drew Petzing, who spent three seasons as the Cardinals' offensive coordinator and now enters a situation with St. Brown, Gibbs and numerous playmakers.

• Rookie guard Tate Ratledge earned a 73.5 Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade last season, and over his last 12 games didn't allow a sack while giving up only four quarterback hits—Detroit expects him to be even better in 2026.

• The Lions added Tyler Conklin to a tight end room that already includes Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, and promoted longtime assistant Steve Oliver to replace departing tight ends coach Tyler Roehl.

🎙️ Podcast & Media Picks

• Pride of Detroit Podcast — Jeremy and Erik dive into Detroit Lions questions and discuss how the organization is applying lessons learned from the 2025 season, from roster decisions and coaching adjustments to player development and expectations for 2026.

• Locked On Lions — Matt Dery questions if 11 wins is within reach given early bye week challenges and explores possible free agency fits like Cam Jordan and Will Dissly to bolster Detroit's roster.

📊 Season Watch

Theme A — Trenches Rebuild

The Lions' offensive line took a significant step backward in 2025 following the sudden retirement of Frank Ragnow, so the franchise responded by signing Cade Mays to a three-year deal on opening day of free agency to anchor the interior. Mays represents a stylistic match for new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's scheme, offering the power and pulling ability the unit desperately lacked. Detroit was still a top five scoring offense and top five overall offense last season, and if the offensive line takes the kind of step forward the Lions think they can, this offense can be special considering the skill weapons they have.

🗓️ Lions History & All-Time Greats

July 16 marked Barry Sanders' birthday—and it's been 27 years since the greatest running back in franchise history was born.

Barry Sanders rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions (1989-1998), making him the first running back ever to do so, and was also just the third person to gain more than 2,000 yards in a season, a feat he accomplished in 1997. Sanders finished his career with 15,269 rushing yards and 99 touchdowns. He was just 1,457 yards shy of Walter Payton's all-time rushing record when he unexpectedly walked away from the game.

Top 10 Career Rushing Yards — Detroit Lions Franchise

1. Barry Sanders — 15,269
2. Billy Sims — 5,106
3. Dexter Bussey — 5,105
4. Altie Taylor — 4,817
5. Mel Farr — 3,072
6. James Stewart — 2,890
7. Doak Walker — 2,646
8. Theo Riddick — 2,238
9. Kevin Jones — 2,067
10. Jahmyr Gibbs — ~2,300+ (active, total rising)

🔮 What to Watch

• Cade Mays integration: Watch how quickly the new center gels with the revamped interior line and whether his scheme fit with Petzing's system accelerates the offense's productivity.

• Kerby Joseph's participation: Training camp reps for the 2024 All-Pro safety will be critical—his presence or absence directly impacts Detroit's defensive ceiling heading into September.

• Blake Miller's RT battle: The rookie offensive tackle must prove he can hold down right tackle, freeing Penei Sewell to anchor the left side and stabilizing one of the league's best pass-pro anchors.