The Detroit Lions visit the LA Rams on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff in a key NFC playoff race matchup.

The Detroit Lions learned many of the official dates for the 2026 NFL season as they try to salvage a playoff push for this campaign. Below are those important dates, along with insights on many of them as provided by the NFL. Jan. 5 — Clubs may begin signing free agent players for the 2026 season, including players from the CFL.

Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) eyes the defense while listening to the play call during the game between the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit. The Detroit Lions won 52-21, improving their season record to 1-1. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Former Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez has a new NFL home, returning to the New York Jets after being released.

Many expect Detroit to play in Germany, as the league announced on Wednesday morning it was returning to Munich, Germany, in 2026 and 2028 to play regular season games. The league has a multi-year partnership with the city of Munich and FC Bayern Munich.

Williams donated 250 brand-new winter coats for children associated with DBG Detroit, along with a $10,000 donation to help with the organization’s youth programs.

The Dallas Cowboys’ chances of reaching the postseason suffered a significant setback following their Week 14 defeat against the Detroit Lions.Coming into the matchup on a three-game winning streak—highlighted by a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving—the Cowboys appeared to be gaining momentum.

But the former Alabama defensive back’s 2025 campaign really ended in the fourth quarter of Detroit’s 44-30 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 4 when Branch sustained an Achilles tendon injury. Branch’s injury leaves the Lions without the only player in the NFL who has at least 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks and nine passes defended this season.