There Is Actually an NFL Game This Month as the Los Angeles Chargers Face the Detroit Lions on July 31st

The long wait for football is nearly over. The calendar has flipped to July, training camps are around the corner, and the excitement surrounding the return of NFL action is palpable. This month, football fans will get their first taste of NFL competition when the Los Angeles Chargers face the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game on July 31st. That’s right—there is actually an NFL game this month.

For fans who have spent the offseason scouring every bit of news, studying mock drafts, following trades, and debating roster moves, the Hall of Fame Game signals the end of speculation and the beginning of action. Sure, it’s a preseason game, but it’s football nonetheless, and after months without it, that’s more than enough to reignite the passion of NFL supporters.

This year’s Hall of Fame Game features two teams with compelling storylines. The Los Angeles Chargers are entering a new era under head coach Jim Harbaugh, whose return to the NFL has been one of the biggest offseason headlines. Harbaugh’s ability to turn teams around is well-documented, and there’s tremendous curiosity about how quickly he can reshape the Chargers’ culture and identity. Fans will be eager to see the early signs of what a Harbaugh-led Chargers team looks like, even if it’s only for a few drives.

On the other sideline, the Detroit Lions come into this game as one of the NFL’s most exciting stories. After years of rebuilding, the Lions finally broke through in 2024, reaching the NFC Championship Game and proving themselves as legitimate contenders. Head coach Dan Campbell has transformed the franchise’s mentality, and with a core of rising stars like Aidan Hutchinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Lions are now seen as one of the most dangerous teams in the league.

While the Hall of Fame Game is typically light on star power, it carries plenty of intrigue. It provides the first glimpse of rookies in NFL uniforms, a chance for fringe roster players to make a name for themselves, and an opportunity for coaching staffs to assess depth charts in a live game environment. For Detroit, this could be the first time fans see how their new draft picks fit into the scheme and what kind of depth the team is building behind its starting lineup. For Los Angeles, it’s a chance to see how quickly players are adapting to Harbaugh’s philosophy.

This game is also about more than just football—it’s part of the annual Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend in Canton, Ohio, a time when the NFL pauses to honor its past while celebrating its present. This year’s Hall of Fame class will include some of the sport’s most respected names, and the weekend is always a meaningful moment for the league and its fans. The game itself kicks off the festivities, serving as a bridge between the league’s storied history and its ever-evolving future.

For fans who have been counting down the days, the realization that an NFL game is happening this month feels almost surreal. The offseason has been filled with plenty of drama—coaching changes, player movement, draft surprises—but nothing compares to the action on the field. The Hall of Fame Game might not feature the league’s brightest stars playing extended minutes, but it marks the return of competition, strategy, and the sound of pads colliding. For many, that’s more than enough to justify their excitement.

The Chargers will likely use the game to evaluate young quarterbacks, backups, and rookies vying for roster spots. It will be the beginning of a long preseason evaluation process for Harbaugh and his staff, but fans can expect to get at least a glimpse of the new offensive and defensive systems. There will be particular interest in how the Chargers approach the running game and whether they showcase any new offensive wrinkles.

For the Lions, this game offers a valuable opportunity to test their depth. Detroit enters 2025 with high expectations, and while most starters will probably see minimal action, the Hall of Fame Game allows Dan Campbell’s staff to identify potential breakout players who could contribute as the season progresses. There will also be focus on Detroit’s rookie class and whether any of them appear poised to make an immediate impact.

Of course, the Hall of Fame Game is ultimately about celebration and anticipation. It’s a soft opening for the NFL season, a reminder that the long wait is finally over and that Sundays filled with football are just around the corner. The result of the game is not what matters—what matters is that football is back.

Fans from both teams, as well as neutral viewers hungry for any NFL action, will be watching closely. The stands in Canton will be filled with supporters excited to witness the kickoff to another season, and millions more will tune in from home, embracing the return of the game they love.

The Hall of Fame Game also holds a special place in the hearts of those who appreciate the sport’s history. Played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the game is uniquely tied to the legacy of the NFL’s greatest players. Each year, the Hall of Fame weekend allows the league to pay tribute to those who helped shape the sport into what it is today, while simultaneously looking ahead to the next chapter.

In many ways, this year’s game between the Chargers and Lions represents that balance perfectly. The Chargers, under a new head coach with a reputation for revival, are beginning a fresh journey. The Lions, coming off their best season in decades, are looking to build on their recent success and prove they belong among the NFL’s elite. Both teams bring excitement, curiosity, and storylines that fans can’t wait to see unfold.

There’s something universally thrilling about the return of football. Even if the game itself doesn’t count toward the standings, it serves as a gateway to the most anticipated time of the year. Training camps will soon be in full swing, preseason games will follow, and before long, Week 1 will be here with all its drama and intensity.

But for now, the headline is simple and electrifying: there is an NFL game this month. The wait is over. Football is back.

The countdown to July 31st has officially begun.