Lions Opt Out of Joint Practices, May Play Starters More in Preseason

Head coach Dan Campbell cites new strategy for upcoming season

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:45pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football game, using the official colors of the Detroit Lions to represent the team's focus on preseason preparation.The Lions' new preseason strategy aims to sharpen their starters ahead of the regular season.Phoenix Today

The Detroit Lions will not participate in joint practices with other NFL teams this offseason, according to head coach Dan Campbell. Instead, the team may play their starters more during preseason games as part of a new strategy for the upcoming season.

Why it matters

Joint practices have become a popular way for NFL teams to get extra work against unfamiliar opponents during training camp, but the Lions are bucking that trend. This decision could signal a shift in the team's approach as they look to improve on last season's performance.

The details

Campbell said the team will forgo joint practices, noting that they may play their starters more than usual during preseason games. This suggests the Lions are focused on getting their top players more game reps rather than practice time against other teams.

  • The Lions made this decision ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Dan Campbell

Head coach of the Detroit Lions, known for his advocacy of joint practices in the past.

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What they’re saying

“Maybe we play some of these guys more than we have.”

— Dan Campbell, Head Coach

What’s next

The Lions' preseason schedule and plans for playing starters will be closely watched as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.

The takeaway

The Lions' decision to forgo joint practices and potentially play starters more in the preseason signals a shift in the team's approach, as they look to find the right formula to improve their on-field performance in the upcoming season.