The late spring sun beat down on the practice fields, a familiar warmth signaling the relentless march of the NFL calendar. For the Detroit Lions, the culmination of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) marks another crucial checkpoint in their annual pilgrimage towards Super Bowl contention. “Is That It?” murmured a Lions veteran, wiping sweat from his brow as the final whistle blew, a rhetorical question laced with both a hint of exhaustion and the eager anticipation of what’s next. For players, coaches, and the ever-hopeful fanbase, the completion of OTAs is never truly “it” – it’s merely the end of one phase and the vigorous beginning of another, a continuous cycle of building, refining, and chasing greatness.
OTAs, while voluntary, are a critical component of the NFL offseason program. They offer the first opportunity for the full squad – rookies, veterans, free agent acquisitions, and those returning from injury – to come together on the field. This isn’t full-contact football; pads are absent, and the emphasis is on teaching, drills, and the installation of schemes. Yet, their importance cannot be overstated.
For a veteran like the one who spoke, OTAs are a litmus test. They are a chance to gauge the energy of the new draft class, to see how seamlessly free agent signings integrate into the locker room, and to assess the physical condition of teammates returning from their brief hiatus. There’s a silent, almost instinctual evaluation happening. Who looks sharper? Who has put in the extra work? Who is grasping the nuances of the new playbook? These are the subtle indicators that tell a veteran whether the team has taken another step forward, or if there are cracks that need mending before the real grind begins.
This year, the Lions’ OTAs carried a particular weight. Coming off a historic season that saw them reach the NFC Championship Game, the expectations in Detroit are higher than they’ve been in decades. The “rebuild” is officially over; the “contender” flag has been planted. For a veteran, this shift in status brings a different kind of pressure. No longer the underdog, every rep, every drill, every session in OTAs is viewed through the lens of a team ready to compete for a championship. The focus sharpens, the intensity subtly ratchets up, even without full pads.
One of the primary benefits of OTAs is the opportunity for the coaching staff to install new plays and refine existing schemes. For an offense as dynamic and innovative as the Lions’, led by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, these sessions are invaluable. Quarterback Jared Goff gets to build chemistry with new receivers, running backs learn new blocking assignments, and the offensive line practices nuanced protections. For the defense, new blitz packages are introduced, coverage assignments are drilled relentlessly, and the communication between defensive backs and linebackers is honed. A veteran understands that this foundational work, often tedious and repetitive, is absolutely essential for the explosive plays and defensive stops that win games in the fall.
The integration of rookies is another vital aspect of OTAs. For the fresh faces arriving from the NFL Draft, these voluntary workouts are their first taste of professional football. The speed is faster, the playbooks are thicker, and the physical demands are greater. Veterans play a crucial role here, not just in guiding them through drills, but in imparting wisdom about the professional grind, the importance of diet, recovery, and consistent effort. They observe how the rookies adapt, how quickly they pick up concepts, and whether they possess the mental fortitude to withstand the rigors of an NFL season. A veteran’s “Is that it?” might also be a silent appraisal of the next generation, wondering if they have the juice to contribute immediately.
For a team like the Lions, with a strong locker room culture emphasized by Coach Dan Campbell, OTAs are also about reinforcing team chemistry and brotherhood. While players are primarily focused on individual improvement, the casual interactions, the shared struggles of drills, and the early bonding moments lay the groundwork for the deep connections that are essential for navigating the long, arduous season. It’s in these voluntary sessions that new leaders emerge, and the collective identity of the team begins to solidify. For a veteran, seeing the camaraderie, the shared jokes, and the competitive spirit even in non-contact drills, provides reassurance that the heart of the team remains strong.
The completion of OTAs brings with it the anticipation of minicamp, the next mandatory phase, followed by the true intensity of training camp. The veteran’s casual question, “Is that it?”, implies a sense of readiness. They’ve put in the foundational work. They’ve dusted off the cobwebs. They’ve begun to understand the new faces and the updated schemes. Now, they’re ready for the next level of physicality, the true test of their conditioning, and the full-contact battles that will forge the final roster.
For the fans, the completion of OTAs is a mixed bag of emotions. There’s relief that the team is progressing, that the offseason is ticking by. There’s excitement from the snippets of news and highlight clips that leak out. But there’s also that perennial yearning for September, for the roar of the Ford Field crowd, for the games that actually count. The veteran’s sentiment, therefore, resonates deeply with the fanbase. They too are asking, “Is that it?” – not because they’re tired of the process, but because they’re eager for the main event.
The Detroit Lions are no longer just building; they are contending. And every phase of the offseason, from strength and conditioning to OTAs, minicamp, and training camp, is a deliberate step towards that ultimate goal. The veteran’s fleeting thought encapsulates the journey: a moment of reflection on work completed, and an immediate, instinctive turn towards the greater challenges that lie ahead. No, “that’s not it.” It’s just the end of the beginning, and the real work, the work that turns dreams of a Super Bowl ring into reality, is yet to come. And every Lion, from the rawest rookie to the most grizzled veteran, knows it.
