NFL teams that recently hired new coaches have already begun their offseason training programs, which means things are ramping up in the NFL offseason schedule.
Here are five important dates Detroit Lions fans should keep an eye on in the coming weeks and months:
1. April 18: Beginning of offseason training program for Lions
Clubs with returning head coaches can begin their offseason workout program on this date.
As per Article 21 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, each club's official, voluntary nine-week offseason program is conducted in three phases:
- Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.
- Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program. On-field workouts may include individual or group instruction and drills, as well as "perfect play drills," and drills and plays with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, conducted at a walk through pace. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.
- Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity (OTAs). No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are allowed.
View photos of the top quarterback prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis (7) during the Senior Bowl on February 5, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis (7) during the Senior Bowl on February 5, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett during Senior Bowl practice on February 1, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett during Senior Bowl practice on February 1, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell during Senior Bowl practice on February 1, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the Senior Bowl on February 5, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral during the NFL Combine press conference on March 2, 2022. (Stuart Zass/Detroit Lions).
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral during the NFL Combine press conference on March 2, 2022. (Stuart Zass/Detroit Lions).
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong during Senior Bowl practice on February 1, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong during Senior Bowl practice on February 1, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
2. April 28-30: NFL Draft in Las Vegas
The three-day event is probably the third biggest on the NFL schedule outside of the Super Bowl and opening week of the regular season.
The first round will be conducted Thursday April 28 starting at 8 p.m. Rounds 2 & 3 will take place Friday April 29 starting at 7 p.m. The draft will conclude with Rounds 4-7 starting at noon on Saturday, April 30.
The Lions have nine total picks in the draft and five picks in the top 97, including two in the first round (2 & 32).
3. May 2: Fifth-year option deadline
The deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year option for players drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The salaries are based on position, playtime, and performance, and are guaranteed at the time the option is exercised.
The Lion have until May 2 to pick up the option on tight end T.J. Hockenson, which Lions general manager Brad Holmes told reporters at NFL owners meetings last week the team intends to do. The option will pay Hockenson right around $10.9 million for the 2023 season, but Holmes also said the team could work out a long-term deal before he has to play on the option.
4. May 24-26, June 1-3, June 13-16: Lions OTAs
Phase Three of the offseason training program consists of a total of 10 OTA practices. One in every three of these OTA practices has to be open in its entirety to the media.
No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are allowed. It will be our first look at some of the new Lions players like wide receiver DJ Chark, cornerback Mike Hughes and linebacker Jarrad Davis.
5. June 5-7: Lions mandatory minicamp
Article 22 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulates that clubs may hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players. This minicamp must occur during Phase Three of the offseason program.
The minicamp is a competitive three-day practice period, without contact. Teams use this time to evaluate who came in ready to work and who got better over the course of OTAs. It's a chance for players to put a final impression on coaches before the summer break and the start of training camp around six weeks later.
View photos of NFL prospect Jameson Williams.
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs down the sideline on a long pass reception against New Mexico State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) makes a catch before running it in for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama's Jameson Williams tries to leap over Georgia's Derion Kendrick during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs after the catch during the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Cincinnati, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. Alabama won, 27-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) celebrates after a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs a route in front of Florida defensive back Jason Marshall Jr. (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, file photo, Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) scores a touchdown against the Miami during an NCAA college football game in Atlanta. No. 1 Alabama filled a need for playmaking speed with wide receiver Jameson Williams and defensive leadership with linebacker Henry To'oTo'o. Those offseason pickups have already paid dividends.(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) grabs a long pass from Alabama quarterback Bryce Young ahead of Tennessee linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Texas A&M during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs away from Miami safety Kamren Kinchens (24) for a touchdown after a catch in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Also keep an on eye: Schedule release (May)
We already know the opponents, but we get to find out the dates & times for the Lions 2022 schedule at some point in May, timing TBD.
Detroit will play each team from the NFC East and AFC East in their yearly rotation of NFC and AFC division matchups. The Lions will also play the last place teams from the NFC South, NFC West and AFC South during next season's 17-game schedule.
Detroit will host division rivals Green Bay, Chicago and Minnesota, and will also welcome Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo, Miami, Jacksonville and Seattle to Ford Field next season.
Detroit will hit the road for games against Green Bay, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas, New York Giants, New York Jets, New England and Carolina.
