(We try to bring you many of these posts/articles due to the local connections, and D.J. Reader, from Grimsley High School, was with the Detroit Lions last season, but guess what???
D.J. Reader, the former Greensboro Grimsley Whirlie, has moved on to a brand new team, and here you go:Social media is buzzing about the New York Giants securing D.J. Reader with a two-year, $12.5M deal in free agency.)
DJ Reader
DL
Experience: 11 years
Height: 6-3
Age: 31
Weight: 335 lbs
College: Clemson
High School: Grimsley HS
Lions suffer a setback before 2026 season even begins
from Anne Erickson, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
The Detroit Lions are making moves in the offseason and looking to come back from their last-place showing in the NFC North in 2025 with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and a fresh approach.
Heading into the new season, it appeared the Lions were going to catch a break. According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, which analyzes each roster’s schedule and the win total predictions by sportsbooks, Detroit has the easiest schedule in 2026.
But it just got harder for the Lions in the upcoming season. Here’s why.
The Lions’ schedule is more difficult than expected in 2026
The full schedule for the 2026 season dropped on Thursday. One of the biggest takeaways is that the Lions play three games in 12 days.
Yes, you read that right. Three games in just 12 days.
It starts with the Lions’ Week 10 flight to FC Bayern Munich Stadium in Germany to take on the current AFC champion, the New England Patriots. Then, they have home games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11 and the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving. That makes for three games in 12 days against strong teams. It doesn’t help that both the Bears and Patriots were No. 1 in their divisions last season.
Also, Detroit got an early bye in Week 6. That means the team will have to gear up for a long stretch of consecutive games as the season winds down, while other teams get a break.
Not only that, but looking at the overseas game, the Patriots will make for a tough opponent, and it hurts to see that the home game has been moved overseas. It would have been better for the Lions to face an easier opponent overseas.
It’s not an ideal situation for the Lions. But Detroit doesn’t have the mantra “Detroit vs. Everybody” for nothing. Bring it on.