Detroit Lions only NFL team not holding rookie minicamp in 2026

Detroit Lions wide receivers Dominic Lovett (19) and Isaac TeSlaa (18) practice during rookie minicamp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 9, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images On Wednesday, the NFL announced the dates of all 32 teams’ organized team activities (OTA) practices , including rookie minicamp. But there was one significant oddity for the Detroit Lions.

They are the only team in the entire league who won’t be holding a rookie minicamp. It isn’t breaking news the Lions aren’t holding rookie minicamp this year. The Detroit Free Press was the first to report this last week.

However, with all 32 schedules out for OTAs, it’s now clear Detroit is the only one skipping out this year. As for why, Lions general manager Brad Holmes was asked after Day 3 of the NFL Draft, and his answer didn’t provide much clarity. He simply noted that they have determined that there are more valuable ways to spend their time, as they looking to adjust and improve their process.

“I told you guys at the end of the season, me and Dan (Campbell) were going to take a long, hard look at everything single thing from top to bottom and that’s what we did,” Holmes said. “Those kind of involvements or efficiencies, those came about from that. We’re not doing things just to do it just because you feel like you have to do it.