The Detroit Lions are shifting gears this training camp season. Head coach Dan Campbell announced at the NFL owners meetings in Arizona that the team will not engage in joint practices for 2026. Campbell feels these practices have lost their edge over the years.
Reflecting on past experiences, Campbell noted, “We had two solid years where joint practices really paid off. But by the third year, it felt like we were spinning our wheels. I started thinking we might get more out of practicing internally.”
The Lions have a history of joint practices over the last four years, traveling to Indianapolis in 2022, hosting the Giants and Jaguars in 2023, and facing the Giants on the road in 2024. Last year, they welcomed the Texans and Dolphins to Allen Park.
Joint practices certainly have their perks. They offer fresh competition, break the routine, and give starters a taste of game-like situations without the full-contact risks of preseason games. However, they can also ramp up intensity to the point of sparking fights and cutting practices short.
This year, Campbell is all about focusing on the team itself. “We’re making it about us. We’ll structure our schedule to hit all our goals without needing to prepare for another team in joint practices,” he explained.
As for preseason games, Campbell is considering giving starters more playing time, a shift from previous years where many were rested.
While the Lions’ 2026 training camp schedule hasn’t been released yet, fans can expect it to kick off at the end of July.