The beginning of the NFL season is still several months off, but there’s no such thing as planning too soon for football. In that vein, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has announced a scheduling modification for the 2025 season that pertains to the Detroit Lions.
The alteration relates to the team’s yearly Thanksgiving match. Try not to stress too much. He’s not stealing it from the Lions, but he is modifying it slightly.
Change in Game Time for Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving
For many Michiganders, gathering with friends and family to celebrate the holiday while watching the Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving day game is a cherished family tradition. As stated by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the tradition began in 1934, when Detroit welcomed the Chicago Bears. It’s hard to picture Thanksgiving without a Lions game, regardless of the outcome. Of course, winning is always preferable.
Currently, Goodell informs Pat McAfee that the NFL intends to adjust the Thanksgiving schedule to align it more closely with the usual kickoff times seen on any Sunday. With this update, the Lions matchup would start at 1 p.m., while the remaining games would begin at 4:25 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Eastern standard time. The game in Detroit typically begins at 12:30 p.m. Eastern standard time.
“One minor adjustment: We’re likely shifting from a 12:30 Eastern start time to 1,” Goodell stated in the April 25 discussion. “We’ll return to the classic windows, begin at 1, proceed directly to Dallas, and then be in prime time.”
Although Goodell termed it a “minor adjustment,” it will undoubtedly capture the attention of Lions fans who plan their Thanksgiving festivities around the game, so keep that in mind. He also mentioned “probably,” indicating it’s not definite, but Goodell appears quite confident that the NFL will implement this change.
In some good news, Goodell mentioned that he thinks the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, who traditionally host a Thanksgiving home game, have solidified their status as the usual venues for Thanksgiving games, and he expects that to remain the same. Lions supporters have consistently worried that the game could be taken from the team, particularly in their less successful years, yet he appears completely committed. Goodell also stated that the NFL will continue selecting a prominent game to showcase on Thanksgiving night.
Detroit Lions Leading Another Major Matchup
Last week, the NFL announced that the Detroit Lions will host the Los Angeles Chargers for the 2025 Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, July 31, in Canton, Ohio, during Enshrinement Week. The matchup will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock with Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark, and Terry McAulay providing commentary. Glad to see you back in the Midwest, Jim Harbaugh.
“This matchup includes two squads seen as true contenders for Super Bowl LX next February,” stated Jim Porter, president and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “Their direct matchup from the start in Canton, Ohio, is expected to set an exciting tone for another amazing NFL season.”