On Thursday, the 2026 NFL schedule was released, and now we can all see when each Detroit Lions game is taking place after already knowing who they’d play.
Detroit, MI
How many Detroit Lions free agency losses made new team’s 53-man roster?
This offseason, the Detroit Lions moved on from over a dozen players from the 2023 team and practice squad who ended up signing free agency deals with other teams. With roster cuts coming down on Tuesday, many of those players did not end up sticking around with their new team. Of course, it’s quite possible they’ll find their way back onto their team’s practice squad or another roster entirely.
But for now, here’s a look at the status of the notable players who left the Lions this offseason.
Made their initial 53-man roster
TE Zach Ertz — Made the Commanders roster
WR Josh Reynolds — Made the Broncos roster
OG Jonah Jackson — Made the Rams roster
DT Benito Jones — Made the Dolphins roster
CB Will Harris — Made the Saints roster
DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson — Made the Eagles roster
Didn’t make their initial 53-man roster
OT Matt Nelson — Released by Giants
EDGE Julian Okwara — Released by Eagles
LB Anthony Pittman — Released by Commanders
CB Chase Lucas — Waived by 49ers
CB Cam Sutton — Placed on reserve/suspended list of Steelers
CB Jerry Jacobs — Waived (w/injury settlement) from Rams
S Tracy Walker — Released by 49ers
In total, just six of the 13 players who parted ways with the Lions this offseason managed to stick to their new team’s 53-man roster. That said, it would not be surprising to see a few of the cut players return to their new team’s practice squad.
Still, it’s interesting to see that guys who were once considered major parts of the Lions’ future—like Tracy Walker and Jerry Jacobs—find themselves looking for jobs on Wednesday. It’s a stark reminder that things change in a hurry in the NFL.
In case you’re wondering if any of these waived/released players could return to Detroit, it’s hard to say. The Lions moved on from many of them for a reason. I could see some interest in guys like Pittman and Lucas for their special teams skills, but Detroit seems to have already have each of their replacements in Ben Niemann and Loren Strickland.
Regardless, we wish these guys the best, and we’ll update this post after the second wave of roster moves and practice squad signings.
Here are three things that I love when looking at the 2026 schedule for the Lions.
1 p.m. ET start times get an uptick
I don’t know about you, but while I do love primetime games, my favorite time for the Lions to play is at 1 p.m. ET. Once the game is over, you still have a handful of games to watch in the 4 p.m. window. You can have them on in the background and eat dinner, and do a few things to prepare for Monday. After that, you have “Sunday Night Football” to end the weekend.
This season, the Lions have eight games that start at 1 p.m., compared to the five they had last year. That is the perk of having a weak schedule, playing teams that not many people want to see.
Only one “Monday Night Football” appearance
While I love primetime games, I don’t care for “Monday Night Football,” at least when the Lions are scheduled for it. It’s an extra day I have to wait to watch my team play, and they’re on a short rest for the following game.
I get the big appeal for “Monday Night Football,” don’t get me wrong. It gets more pregame coverage, more eyes than the Sunday night game, and has a special broadcast. The Lions’ only “Monday Night Football” game is Week 16 against the New York Giants, and thankfully it’s at Ford Field rather than in New Jersey.
Weak first half could give cushion for later in the season
While the Lions are supposed to have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL this season, anything can still happen in the league. Looking at the first half of the season (Weeks 1-9), the schedule is front-loaded with lower-tier opponents, so that when the second half comes around, the team might have some wiggle room if they go on a losing streak.
The first half opponents’ combined record from 2025 is 57-78-1. Their toughest game in the first nine weeks is on the road against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 on” Thursday Night Football.“ Outside of that, they play the New Orleans Saints to start the 2026 campaign. Afterwards, they have a matchup with former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets, then against the Arizona Cardinals, who currently have question marks at the quarterback position. Both of those teams finished last season with a paltry 3-14 record.
The back half is where things get tough, as the Lions’ opponents combined record from 2025 is 77-85-1. They start the second half in Germany against defending AFC Champion New England Patriots, who finished 14-3. They take on the defending NFC North champion Chicago Bears (11-5 last year) twice in the back half. Detroit also renews its rivalry with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who finished 8-9.
While the second half schedule is still below .500, it’s got some tougher matchups and schedule issues with it. From travelling overseas to playing three divisional road games in four weeks, if the Lions don’t start hot, the back half of the season could be punishing. I believe the Lions will start with a strong record before they face some bumps in the middle of the season, and they finish out with an above .500 record and a return to the playoffs.
Detroit Public Schools Community District hosting 5th annual alumni event
DETROIT – Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) will host their fifth annual alumni event.
On May 16, the foundation will host their Tyrone E. Winfrey Hall of Fame Alumni Gala.
The Gala honors distinguished DPSCD alumni who have made a major impact in our community and beyond.
The night is a celebration of Detroit’s success stories and a fundraiser to create new opportunities for the next generation of students.
Organizers say there will be a major live announcement aimed at helping Detroit High School students build brighter futures.
Kerrie Mitchell, the president and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation, joined Local 4 Live to talk more about the gala, the foundation’s mission and what the announcement could mean for students across the city.
You can watch the full interview in the video at the beginning of this article.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
The Detroit Zoo welcomed a new giraffe, Nguvu, to the herd, officials announced on Wednesday.
Officials say 1-year-old Nguvu came from Utah’s Hogle Zoo as part of the zoo’s “long-term plan for the giraffe herd.”
“This move was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Giraffe Species Survival Plan, which promotes the health, genetic diversity and overall sustainability of giraffe populations in zoos – and we’re eager to support Nguvu as he adjusts to his new home,” the Detroit Zoo says.
Officials say Nguvu has been working with the animal care teams for several days and will be introduced to the herd soon.
According to Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Nguvu was born in February 2025. His name means “strength” in Swahili.
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