If you’re waking up in Michigan today, January 15, 2026, and reaching for that lucky Amon-Ra St. Brown jersey, I’ve got some tough news for you. The Detroit Lions do not play today. Honestly, it's a bit of a gut punch. After a rollercoaster 2025 season that saw Dan Campbell’s squad fight tooth and nail, the Lions ultimately finished with a 9-8 record. While that marks their fourth consecutive winning season—a feat that would have seemed like a fever dream a decade ago—it wasn’t enough to crack the 2026 NFL playoff bracket. They ended up in fourth place in a brutal NFC North, and while they capped off the year with a gritty 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears on January 4, their season officially hit the "off" switch that night.
Do the Detroit Lions play today or anytime soon?
No. There are no games on the schedule for today. Since it's a Thursday, the NFL is currently in that weird, quiet pocket between the Wild Card round and the Divisional matchups.
The playoffs are moving on without Detroit. You’ll see the Buffalo Bills taking on the Denver Broncos this Saturday, and the Chicago Bears—the team Detroit just beat—hosting the Rams on Sunday. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. The Lions are watching from the couch just like we are.
Instead of game prep, the front office is deep in "evaluation mode." This basically means they are tearing apart the roster to see why a 9-8 record resulted in a fourth-place finish. The NFC North has become an absolute buzzsaw. When you’re competing with a resurgent Chicago and a consistent Minnesota, "pretty good" just doesn't cut it anymore.
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Why the Lions are on the sidelines right now
The season didn't fall apart because of a lack of heart. It was more about the "inch" that Dan Campbell always talks about. A three-game skid late in the season really did them in.
- The OC Shakeup: The big news recently was the firing of Offensive Coordinator John Morton. After just one season, the Lions decided to part ways. Reports from earlier this month, specifically around January 6, confirmed that Campbell is looking for a new architect for the offense.
- The Draft Slot: Because they finished 9-8, they've secured the No. 17 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- The Injuries: Penei Sewell, who many consider the best lineman in the league, even admitted this was a "down year" for him. That's a high bar, but it shows the internal standards in that locker room.
What’s next for the Detroit Lions?
Since we know do the Detroit Lions play today is a "no," what should fans actually be looking for? The focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 offseason. This is where Brad Holmes earns his money.
The 2026 opponents are already set. Even though we don't have the exact dates yet (those usually drop in May), we know who's coming to Ford Field. Next season, the Lions will host the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, and the New York Jets, along with the usual divisional rivals.
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Key Dates for your 2026 Lions Calendar
- Late January: Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl (Jan 31). This is where Holmes usually finds those "grit" players he loves.
- February 23 - March 2: The NFL Scouting Combine in Indy.
- March 11: The new league year begins. This is when free agency officially kicks off, though the "legal tampering" starts a few days earlier.
- April 23-25: The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Right now, the mock drafts are already flying. A lot of experts, including those over at The Athletic and Sports Illustrated, are mocking EDGE David Bailey from Texas Tech or offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa from Miami to Detroit. The team needs to beef up the line and find a consistent pass rush opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Actionable Steps for Lions Fans Today
Since there’s no game to watch, you can still stay plugged into the Pride.
First, track the Offensive Coordinator search. Names like Mike McDaniel have been floated in strategy circles, and finding the right person to maximize Jared Goff’s remaining years is the number one priority this month.
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Second, watch the Divisional Round this weekend. If you want a reason to stay invested, keep an eye on the Chicago Bears vs. LA Rams game on Sunday. Watching a divisional rival compete for a Super Bowl spot is never fun, but it gives you a clear look at the benchmark the Lions need to hit next September.
Lastly, start looking at the 2026 free-agent list. With the cap expected to rise again, the Lions have some room to play. They need a veteran cornerback—someone like a healthy Jermod McCoy—to stabilize a secondary that got scorched a few too many times last autumn.
The season is over, but the work for 2026 started the second that clock hit zero in Chicago.