As the Detroit Lions open their 2026 training camp in Allen Park, head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes face critical roster questions. The team must navigate significant offseason turnover, intense position battles at cornerback and guard, and a reworked defensive scheme following a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Rather than talking about the postseason, the team’s focus remains squarely on the work ahead.
Dan Campbell Sets a Competitive Tone for Camp
Campbell expects this to be the most competitive training camp since he’s been here, reflecting the aggressive approach he and general manager Brad Holmes took during the offseason. For the first time since 2021, the Lions will not conduct joint practices, and Campbell signaled that starters could see action in the preseason, The New York Times noted.
“We’re going to push it. We’re going to push, that’s what we do, but we’ll do it smart. We have got to get these guys ready for a season. … I’m going to do what I think is best to prepare these guys for 17 weeks, but also understand that we have got to be smart about it and we can’t break them in training camp.”
Dan Campbell, Head Coach, Detroit Lions
The Battle for the No. 2 Cornerback Spot
The secondary faces major upheaval following the release of former first-round pick Terrion Arnold, who was arrested by Florida police on eight counts of kidnapping and armed robbery, The Detroit Free Press reported. D.J.
However, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is pushing hard for the job. The 2024 second-round pick out of Missouri has played just 46 defensive snaps across two injury-plagued seasons, missing all of 2025 with a shoulder issue, according to the Detroit Lions. Defensive pass game coordinator Deshea Townsend noted that Roger McCreary will likely anchor the slot but could also see time outside, The Detroit Free Press noted.
Offensive Line Shakeup and Left Guard Battle
Significant changes hit the offensive trenches after Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow departed, following the earlier retirement of Frank Ragnow.
At left guard, incumbent Christian Mahogany started 11 games in 2025, allowing four sacks and 16 quarterback hurries, the Detroit Lions reported. Mahogany opens camp on the active non-football injury list, creating an opening for Ben Bartch, Juice Scruggs, and Miles Frazier to compete for first-team reps, Yahoo Sports reported.
New Coordinators and Defensive Restructuring
The coaching staff features fresh faces tasked with turning around units that stalled last year. Drew Petzing takes over as offensive coordinator after John Morton’s tenure ended, bringing a system known for eye-candy motions and a dynamic run game, The New York Times reported.
On defense, second-year coordinator Kelvin Sheppard must replace multiyear starters Alex Anzalone, DJ Reader, and Amik Robertson, The New York Times reported. Roster moves suggest a faster, more athletic front that leans into pass rushing rather than relying strictly on a heavy run-stuffing philosophy, Pride of Detroit reported.
Worth a look
