Key dates to know for the Detroit Lions on the 2025-26 NFL calendar

USA Today

15 hours ago

Key dates to know for the Detroit Lions on the 2025-26 NFL calendar
The NFL has released the official league calendar of key dates for the coming season. There are quite a few that are pertinent for the Detroit Lions as the team heads into its late-spring hiatus.
July 15: Franchise tag deadline
The Lions didn't use the franchise or transition tags on any free agents in 2025, so this doesn't really apply to Detroit.
Late July: Training camp dates
Teams are allowed to begin training camp 47 days prior to the date of their first regular-season game. The Lions get an exemption for this because they are playing in the Hall of Fame Game. The Lions will release the exact training camp dates to the public soon.
July 31: Hall of Fame Game: Lions vs. Chargers in Canton, OH
Detroit opens the preseason with an extra exhibition game, which is why the Lions' training camp report date is earlier than for all other teams besides the Chargers.
More: Detroit Lions preseason schedule for 2025: Dates, times and opponents now set
August 21-23: The final game of the preseason for all teams
Detroit hosts the Houston Texans on August 23rd at 1 p.m.
Aug 26: Roster cutdown deadline
Rosters must be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m.
August 27: Practice squad starts
Waiver claims from the prior day's cuts are processed, and teams can form a 16-player practice squad (17 if a qualifying international player) once the waiver claims are completed.
Aug 31: Final day of preseason training camp for all clubs
The league officially shifts into regular-season mode on September 1st.
September 23: Waiver claim changes
The NFL waiver claim order changes from the final 2024 standings to the current NFL records, following the completion of Week 3 games. The current order is the same as the 2025 NFL Draft order (without trades), so Detroit is 28th.
Post-Week 4: Injured players can return
Players who began the season on the I.R. list or the NFI/PIP lists are eligible to be activated.
November 4: NFL Trade Deadline
The Lions were active at the 2024 deadline, acquiring Za'Darius Smith from the Browns.
November 5th: Veteran waiver changes
Following the trade deadline, all veterans with at least four accrued NFL seasons are subject to waiver claims if their team releases them. Before this time, those players are free to sign anywhere without restriction.
January 5: Fifth-year option period begins
For the Lions, this pertains to RB Jahmyr Gibbs and LB Jack Campbell. Note that the Lions can sign either player to an extension without exercising the fifth-year option.
January 5th is also the deadline for underclassmen to declare their entrance into the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Jan 10-12: Wild Card Weekend
Jan 17-18: Divisional Playoffs
Jan 25: AFC and NFC Championship Games
February 8: Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Here's hoping the Lions earn their first-ever Super Bowl appearance.
February 17: Franchise tag period begins
Business moves forward to the offseason, and teams become eligible to place the franchise tag on pending free agents. For Detroit, that (currently) includes players like Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams and Amik Robertson.
February 23-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine
The annual scouting extravaganza in Indianapolis is also typically the first chance to meet with GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell following the end of the Lions season.
March 11: Free agency begins
The legal tampering period begins on March 9th, with teams eligible to sign free agents beginning at 4 p.m. ET on the 11th.
March 29-April 1: NFL league meeting
This is the meeting where rule changes are voted upon, among other functions of the annual meeting in Phoenix.
April 20: Offseason programs begin for teams with returning head coaches
Barring something completely unforeseen on the coaching front, the Lions and Dan Campbell are permitted to begin the 2026 offseason program on April 20th.
April 23-25: The 2026 NFL Draft
Next year's draft is in Pittsburgh.