Detroit Lions’ offseason program may undergo huge change in 2025

The offseason program for the Detroit Lions and the rest of the NFL may change as we know it starting in 2025, according to a new report released on Tuesday morning.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the NFLPA is working on a proposal that would eliminate physical work in the spring in favor of virtual classroom work. In addition, players would not report until mid-June to early July, allowing for a greater ramp-up to training camp, when the first practices would take place.

Here’s more from Pelissero’s report, via NFL.com:

The NFLPA is working to finalize a proposal to overhaul the offseason starting as soon as 2025, eliminating voluntary on-field work in the spring in favor of a longer training camp ramp-up, with players reporting in mid-June to early July, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, per sources informed of the plan.

Per Pelissero, the NFLPA has consulted medical and performance experts to create a solution for reducing injuries and maximizing players’ recovery time. Under the potential proposal, virtual classroom work would still be permitted in the spring, but no practices until camp.

The offseason program currently consists of three phases over nine weeks. Included in the phases are meetings (Phase One), on-field individual drills (Phase Two) and then organized team activities (Phase Three). The only portion of the offseason program that isn’t voluntary is mandatory minicamp.

So not an end to OTAs.. seemingly just a readjustment of when they’d be

They did something similar during Covid.. I believe most of the guys loved it for their bodies and such going into training camp https://t.co/BCAUCnsq0z

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 28, 2024The goal of the change is to reduce injuries and allow players more recovery time in between each season, which would be particularly important if the league moves to an 18-game schedule, something the NFL is considering in the long term.

Offseason program rules are collectively bargained, so the league would have to approve the change, also. The NFLPA is looking to finalize the proposal this summer and changes could go into effect as soon as 2025.