Lions Hold Starters as Chargers Dominate Preseason Kickoff
The 2025 NFL preseason got off to a strange, low-wattage start in Canton, Ohio, as the Detroit Lions played it safe with their big-name players during the Hall of Fame Game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Lions head coach Dan Campbell wasn't having any of the usual risks, benching quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, running back David Montgomery, and the linchpin of the offensive line Penei Sewell. Not even the Lions’ latest top draft picks got a single snap—Detroit opted to keep both rookies on ice for their first NFL action.
Across the field, the Chargers mirrored this approach, keeping stars like quarterback Justin Herbert away from the action and instead rolling with backup Trey Lance, who joined the team via trade earlier this year. What followed wasn’t exactly a football purist’s dream, but it was the first real taste of live action since February for football-starved fans. For those eager to see depth and potential breakout names, this was the night circled on the calendar.
Trey Lance Makes His Mark
Trey Lance didn’t waste time justifying L.A.’s gamble on him. The former first-round draft pick, who’s had a bumpy journey so far in his NFL career, looked sharp and decisive. He racked up 120 passing yards, completing two touchdowns—one on a critical fourth-down pass to tight end Will Dissly, the other a quick slant route to rookie wideout KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Each connection brought a jolt of energy to the Chargers’ offense, which stayed aggressive even without its usual weapons.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s offense simply couldn’t get going. Backup quarterback Kyle Allen took the reins but struggled to solve the puzzle presented by L.A.’s reserves. The Lions turned over the ball early and often, falling behind 14-0 before they ever looked comfortable. Reserve running back Craig Reynolds got the bulk of the carries but saw little room to run behind a patchwork offensive line. The *Detroit Lions* faithful were left to watch a vanilla offense that seemed more interested in evaluation than exhibition.
Head coach Dan Campbell was upfront postgame, saying the real plan was to see who might step up when the bright lights are on—even if it’s just preseason. The coaches focused intently on backup and fringe roster players, scribbling notes and making mental checklists as they eye the tough decisions of late August’s roster cuts.
On the Chargers’ sideline, the attitude was similar, but with clearer results. Lance’s strong outing overshadowed any worries about backups elsewhere, and rookie receiver Lambert-Smith caught attention as an intriguing new target. For both teams, it was less about the scoreboard and more about the depth chart. Still, nobody on the Detroit sideline was happy about the lopsided 34-7 loss—not even with the preseason caveats.
This preseason opener wasn’t about a rivalry or playoff aspirations—it was about pipe dreams and career lifelines. For the Lions, there’s hope that saving their regulars for the season’s grind was worth this harsh first glance. For the Chargers, Lance gave them something to think about at quarterback, and perhaps a little more optimism than expected.