The rookies, quarterbacks and players rehabbing injuries have been in Allen Park for a few days now, but training camp really gets underway when the veterans report Saturday and practice kicks off at the Meijer Performance Center Sunday morning.
Detroit enters 2025 as one of the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl in February, but first the foundation must be laid and that begins with training camp over the next month.
Here are five things I'll be looking out for when camp kicks off this week:
1. COACHING CHANGES
The Lions were blessed with unusually long consistency on head coach Dan Campbell's staff the last three seasons.
That changed this offseason with Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn earning head coaching gigs in Chicago and New York (Jets), respectively. So for the first time since 2022, Campbell is having to break in two new coordinators, as well as navigate a number of other new additions and responsibility shifts within his coaching staff.
"Probably more up to speed defensively," Campbell said back in June during OTAs. "It's just about everybody getting on the same page with how defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard wants to do things. We're cooking pretty good right now. I like where we're at.
"Offensively, same thing there. It's about what offensive coordinator John Morton really wants. We've tweaked a few things here and there – how he sees it, how he wants things run, how he wants to isolate certain players. A lot of the focal points were Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta among others, and then getting the offense in. I thought we did that. I thought we really honed in on their versatility and all things they can do."
The spring was about implementation of scheme. Now the competition ramps up during camp and we get to see Morton and Sheppard's units square off as they get ready for Detroit's first preseason game fast approaching July 31.
How different will the offense and defense look? Will it even be noticeable to fans? Can the offense continue to be one of the most explosive and versatile units in the NFL? Will the defense take a big leap forward under Sheppard's guidance? The one constant in the equation is Campbell, and he has a history of pushing the right buttons among his coaching staff and getting the absolute most from them.
View photos of the Detroit Lions offensive linemen heading into training camp.
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 27, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 27, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 8, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 22, 2024 in Chicago. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 14, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 15, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Arizona Cardinals center Trystan Colon (63) gets ready to play the New York Jets before an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Jamarco Jones (72) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Mason Miller during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 14, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Netane Muti (52) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Michael Niese (62) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
2. INTERIOR O-LINE COMPETITION
All-Pro center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement this offseason and veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler left in free agency, which leaves the Lions having to replace two starters upfront.
The team drafted Tate Ratledge out of Georgia in the second round of this year's NFL Draft and he was getting reps at both center and guard in OTAs. It will be interesting to see if he starts camp at center with veteran Graham Glasgow at right guard and second-year OL Christian Mahogany at left guard with the first-team offense. Lions general manager Brad Holmes described Ratledge as having a 'dirtbag' mentality to his game. If true, he'll fit in just fine upfront in Detroit.
The team also drafted interior offensive lineman Miles Frazier in the middle of this year's draft. Can he push Glasgow or Mahogany at guard? Veterans Kayode Awosika, Trystan Colon, Netane Muti and others have played a lot of football in this league. Can they push for significant roles?
There's been so much consistency upfront along Detroit's offensive line over the years it's a little unusual going into camp with so many question marks. It will be fun watching how that line comes together and who impresses Campbell and run game coordinator/offensive line coach Hank Fraley the most.
3. ROOKIE CLASS
We talked about Ratledge above and the potential for him to have a big impact in his first season.
We didn't see much from first-round pick Tyleik Williams in the spring as the Lions opted to rest some of their rookies after a long college season and get them ready to roll come the start of training camp. The rookie defensive tackle out of Ohio State has rare movement traits for a man his size and the Lions are hoping he can be an important piece in the center of their defensive front.
Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa opened some eyes at rookie minicamp with his playmaking ability, but we never saw him take part in practice with the veterans in the open OTA sessions to the media. The third-round pick joins an established receiver room in Detroit but his size (6-4, 214) and speed (4.43), along with the fact he was second in the SEC last year with a 19.5-yard average per reception, makes him an intriguing option in a Lions pass game loaded with skill weapons.
Late round picks Ahmed Hassanein (edge rusher), Dan Jackson (safety) and Dominic Lovett (wide receiver) will also try to earn roster spots and playing roles throughout camp. The Lions play four preseason games this season because of their inclusion in the Hall of Fame Game July 31 so we'll see a lot of these rookies over the course of the next month as they try to earn their keep on a talented Lions roster.
4. WELCOME BACK
The Lions were decimated by injury last season, especially on defense, losing a total of 254 games by players injured during the 2024 season.
Despite these significant injury-related losses, the Lions still managed to win 15 games and earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Detroit enters camp mostly healthy and excited about getting a number of their core players on defense back in the fold. Will Aidan Hutchinson be the same player that was heading toward DPOY status before a broken leg ended his season Week 6? Can Marcus Davenport stay healthy after a few injury-riddled seasons? What role will the versatile Derrick Barnes have in Sheppard's new defense?
We probably won't see defensive lineman Alim McNeill or linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez until midseason as they continue to rehab ACL injuries. But overall, the Lions enter camp pretty healthy, and it will be nice to see all those injured players back on the field.
View photos of the Detroit Lions defensive linemen heading into training camp.
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) sacks Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Nov. 10, 2024 in Houston. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 22, 2024 in Chicago. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 22, 2024 in Chicago. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) celebrates after recovering a fumble during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 22, 2024 in Chicago. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein (61) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein (61) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez (51) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez (51) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. (64) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Nate Lynn (57) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 15, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 6, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (95) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (90) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 3, 2024 in Green Bay, Wis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Isaac Ukwu (45) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 20, 2024 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Raequan Williams walks to the NFL football team's practice in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
5. YOUNG DEVELOPMENT
While the Lions hope to get key contributions from a number of their first-year players, they are expecting it from a number of second-year players now with a year's worth of NFL experience under their belts.
Terrion Arnold was a starter at outside cornerback from Day 1 arriving in Detroit as a first-round pick last season. Players typically taker their biggest leap from Year 1 to Year 2, and the Lions are expecting big things from Arnold in his second season.
Same goes for Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who missed half of his rookie season due to injury. He had a great spring and is looking to earn the top reserve role at the outside cornerback spot behind Arnold and veteran D.J. Reed.
The Lions treated 2024 like a redshirt year for third-round pick Giovanni Manu as he was coming out of the University of British Columbia. They loved his traits and potential but knew it would take time adjusting to the speed and skill at the NFL level. Now in Year 2, the Lions want to see Manu push Dan Skipper for the swing tackle role and earn the coaches' trust to play an important backup role upfront.
Can Sione Vaki win the No. 3 running back role? Will Mekhi Wingo earn a bigger rotational role along Detroit's defensive front? Does Mahogany prove he can go from key reserve to starter at left guard?
There's a lot to watch from the second-year players on Detroit's roster as they look to make big leaps in production and reliability heading into their second training camp.
