With the sudden loss to the Washington Commanders, the Detroit Lions offseason is sadly upon us. The team will look to build upon this year’s performance and hopefully make that Super Bowl push we were all hoping for this season.

As always, the NFL offseason is filled from January to August with several significant events, deadlines, and dates to ensure that there never truly is a lull in football news and developments. Here are the most important offseason dates, and how they pertain to the Lions.

January

Jan. 20 — NFL Divisional Round losers can have their coaches interviewed/hired

Had the Lions defeated the Commanders, the Lions coaches would not have been able to interview until they were eliminated—or in the week between the Conference Championship and Super Bowl. Unfortunately, now that the Divisional Round is over and the Lions are eliminated, all Lions coaches are now free to interview and sign with any team. Expect both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to explore second, in-person interviews this week.

Jan. 28-30 — Senior Bowl practices

General manager Brad Holmes will only get a week to relax before jumping back into the scouting process with the annual Senior Bowl beginning next week.

February

Feb. 1 — Senior Bowl game

The Senior Bowl game will be televised on NFL Network at 2:30 p.m. ET

Jan. 30/Feb. 2 — 2025 Pro Bowl games

The Lions had seven players named to the Pro Bowl and another 11 alternates who could end up going. The skills competition is on Thursday Jan. 30 (7-8:30 p.m. ET) and the game is on Saturday, Feb. 2 (3-6 p.m. ET). Both will air on ESPN.

Feb. 6 — NFL Honors award show

At 9 p.m. ET, the NFL will air their annual awards show. At this time, finalists haven’t been announced, but Lions coach Dan Campbell is expected to be a finalist for Coach of the Year.

Feb. 18 — Franchise/transition tag window opens

Teams can start designating their selections for the franchise or transition tag (difference explained here). The Lions haven’t used the franchise tag since 2018 (Ezekiel Ansah), and there are no real candidates to get it this year, with Carlton Davis (estimated franchise tag value $20.36M) being the closest.

Feb. 24 – March 3 — NFL Combine

While this event is about NFL Draft prospects, it’s also the time in which the media often meets with new Lions coaches. That could be a significant offseason moment considering the coaching changes expected.

March 4 — Franchise/transition tag deadline

If a team plans on using the franchise tag, this is the last day they can use that designation.

March 10-12 — Free agency “legal tampering period”

Starting March 10 at Noon ET, teams can start negotiating with agents of players who are set to become unrestricted free agents. Oftentimes players will “agree to terms” with their new teams.

March 13 — New league year, start of free agency

Free agents can officially sign with new teams starting at 4 p.m. ET.

March 30-April 2 — NFL Annual League Meetings

New NFL rules are discussed, while typically Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes, and Rod Wood are all made available to the local media.

April

April 16 — NFL Draft visit deadline

Teams must complete their top-30 and local NFL Draft prospect visits (at their own facility) by this date.

April 18 — RFA deadline

If a player is given a restricted free agent offer sheet, this is the deadline for those players to sign it.

April 21 — Offseason program begins

The Lions, and any other team with a returning head coach, can begin their offseason program.

April 24-26 — 2025 NFL Draft

This year’s draft is in Green Bay.

May

May 1 — Fifth-year option deadline for 2022 first-round picks

The Lions have two 2022 first-round picks. The first, Aidan Hutchinson, is likely to get an extension this year, but the Lions could exercise his fifth-year option (estimated $22.6M for 2026) to buy some time. The more interesting decision is with Jameson Williams. His 2026 option would cost about $15.1 million, all fully guaranteed.

May 2-5 or May 9-12 — Rookie minicamp

Team may hold a three-day rookie minicamp for their draft picks and UDFA class in either of the two windows.

Mid-May — NFL schedule release

There is no official date set for the NFL 2025 schedule release, but it was announced on May 15 in 2024 and May 12 the previous year.

May 20-21 — NFL Spring League Meetings

More conversations are had about rule changes. There is typically limited/no availability with Lions coaches/owners here.

Late May/Early June — OTAs + mandatory minicamp

For the first time, the Lions’ entire 2025 roster can get together and participate in 10 voluntary, unpadded practices—plus three mandatory minicamp practices. Typically, the Lions dismiss veterans for the final week of OTAs, choosing to spend that time on the young players in attendance.

(Last year’s OTA dates: May 21-23, 29-31, June 10-12 — Rookie minicamp: June 4-6)

July

July 15 — Franchise tag signing deadline

If a player is designated with the franchise tag, this is the date they must sign that tag by. Teams and players often use this date as a deadline for agreeing to a long-term contract to avoid playing on the one-year franchise tag deal.

Mid/late July — Training camp

Last year, Lions rookes reported on July 20 and veterans on July 23. The first practice was on July 24.