Padres and Astros made jaw-dropping trades at MLB trade deadline.
Twins had an epic fire sale, trading 10 players in 24 hours.
Mason Miller gives the Padres MLB’s best bullpen – at a huge cost.

Major League Baseball’s 2025 trade deadline featured a flurry of big deals, including some genuinely stunning swaps like Carlos Correa returning to the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres adding Mason Miller to their bullpen.

The Minnesota Twins traded 10 players from their 26-man roster in the span of 24 hours, while the Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles were also big sellers at the July 31 deadline.

In addition to the deal for Miller, the Padres got Ryan O’Hearn and Ramon Laureano from the Orioles, two of the top bats available as they seek to chase down the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. The New York Yankees remade their bullpen with separate trades for relievers David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird.

We break down all the deals from deadline day:

Carlos Correa trade grades

Houston Astros receive INF Carlos Correa, $33 million; Minnesota Twins receive LHP Matt Mikulski

Astros grade: B+

Houston brings Correa home after a few years apart, getting the Twins to eat a huge chunk of the two-time World Series champion’s salary. He’ll move to third base with his one-time replacement Jeremy Peña at short and while Correa hasn’t performed consistently since departing, it’s a lower-risk move for the Astros in a deal that should make everyone happy.

Twins grade: A-

This was Minnesota’s one and only chance to get out of the Correa contract. Kudos to them for seizing the opportunity, a pure salary dump that admits defeat on the once-marquee free agent signing.

Mason Miller trade grades

San Diego Padres receive RHP Mason Miller, LHP JP Sears; Athletics receive SS Leo De Vries, RHP Braden Nett, RHP Henry Báez and RHP Eduarniel Nuñez

Padres grade: B

It’s quite a coup getting both the game’s most dominant closer and a guy with four years of club control remaining after this season. Miller, 26, is generally untouchable in the ninth inning and in two seasons as A’s closer has nailed down 48 of 54 save opportunities, an 89% conversion rate on par with Hall of Famers Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. 

The cost? It’s huge. De Vries is the most significant international signing the Padres have had this decade, no small honor, and he’s consistently been challenged – and succeeded – at levels where the average player is four to five years older than him. Put simply: Not many 17-year-olds flash power and speed in stateside A ball and go on to the Arizona Fall League, as De Vries did in 2024.

While Miller’s controllable years mean the Padres can flip him in future seasons for either immediate help or to galvanize their system, it still stings to trade a potential (likely?) franchise player for a reliever.

Athletics grade: A

The deal begs one dark question: Will any of their young stars make it to Las Vegas, should they ever complete their ballpark there?

It’s yet another step back at the big league level for the A’s in a five-year cycle of utter desiccation that hastened their move from Oakland. And it’s perhaps not a coincidence that Miller was dealt months before he entered the first of four years of salary arbitration.

– Gabe Lacques

Camilo Doval trade grades

New York Yankees receive RHP Camilo Doval; San Francisco Giants receive Jesus Rodriguez, Trystan Vrieling, Parks Harber, Carlos De La Rosa

Yankees grade: A-

Doval is having a nice bounce-back season and is under team control through 2027, completing a complete overhaul of the Yankees’ bullpen beyond 2025 after adding David Bednar and Jake Bird earlier in the day.

Giants grade: B-

Definitely could have gotten more for the 2023 National League saves leader if they had waited until the winter – unless he tailed off down the stretch.

Griffin Jax trade grades

Tampa Bay Rays receive RHP Griffin Jax; Minnesota Twins receive RHP Taj Bradley

Rays grade: B

Tampa Bay officially gives up on Bradley, one of the top prospects in baseball a few years ago, after giving him a pretty shot in the rotation over the past two years. Jax hasn’t looked like himself this year, but he’s a proven high-leverage arm the Rays need in the AL wild-card race.

Twins grade: B+

Bradley is only 24 years old, under team control through 2029 and hasn’t been bad by any stretch of the imaginaton. Pretty decent gamble here.

Merrill Kelly trade grades

Texas Rangers receive RHP Merrill Kelly; Arizona Diamondbacks receive LHP Kohl Drake, RHP David Hagaman, LHP Mitch Bratt.

Rangers grade: A-

With Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and now Kelly, watch out if the Rangers get into the playoffs. Kelly, who played in Korea from 2015-2018, is having the best season of his career at age 36 and brings some postseason pedigree having gone 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts across Arizona’s run to the World Series in 2023.

Diamondbacks grade: B+

Holding a ton of trade chips this month, Arizona has been frustrated by the slow market. Having already unloaded Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez, the Diamondbacks get three prospects in exchange for Kelly, a free agent at the end of the season. Drake was the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect and has a 3.10 ERA in 16 minor-league games this season.

Ryan O’Hearn, Ramon Laureano trade grades

San Diego Padres receive 1B/OF Ryan O’hearn, OF Ramon Laureano; Baltimore Orioles receive RHP Boston Bateman, INF Brandon Butterworth, INF Cobb Hightower, INF/OF Victor Figueroa, RHP Tyson Neighbors and RHP Tanner Smith.

Padres grade: A

San Diego dramatically improved its lineup with the deal for two of the top bats on the market, having already acquired catcher Freddy Fermin from the Royals earlier in the day. The Padres really should push the Dodgers in the NL West over the next two months and have to be considered one of the top World Series contenders

Orioles grade: A

Rather than finding separate buyers, the Orioles packaged two of the top bats on the market and received six prospects in return – all of whom were just drafted in 2024.

José Caballero trade grades

New York Yankees receive INF/OF José Caballero; Tampa Bay Rays receive OF Everson Pereira and PTBNL or cash.

Yankees grade: B+

Caballero, who led the AL with 44 steals in 2024 and has 34 this year, is a nice addition for a Yankees team that ranks in the middle of the pack for stolen bases. The trip to join his new teammates was an easy one with the Rays already in the Bronx, Caballero merely switching clubhouses.

Rays grade: B

Tampa Bay has enough guys who can run and the roster spot was helpful as the Rays made deals on deadline day.

Jake Bird trade grades

Yankees grade: A-

Hours after agreeing to a deal with the Pirates for closer David Bednar, the Yankees further fortified their bullpen with with the 29-year-old Bird, under team control through 2028. With a 4.73 ERA this season and even career home-road splits away from Coors Field, Bird doesn’t have quite the upside as other relievers on the market this week, but the Yankees acquire a reliable – and cheap – arm to the middle relief corps.

Rockies grade: C

Colorado is in a race to avoid the worst record in MLB history, but decided to trade its best relief pitcher who currently costs just about nothing. They’ll save a few million in Bird’s arbitration years, but dealing the right-hander was definitely not somethign the Rockies needed to do.

Jesús Sánchez trade grades

Houston Astros receive OF Jesús Sánchez; Miami Marlins receive RHP Ryan Gusto, INF Chase Jaworsky, OF Esmil Valencia

Astros grade: B+

The AL West leaders needed outfield help and find it in the 27-year-old, already a veteran of six seasons. Sánchez presumably will step into the strong side of a left field platoon in Houston, which had been giving regular outfield starts to Taylor Trammell. Doesn’t look like a huge move now, but can’t you picture Sánchez lacing an RBI double at Daikin Park in October?

Marlins grade: B

Good move from a fiscal perspective with the outfielder making $4.5 million and scheduled for an annual raise through 2027.

Phil Maton trade grades

Texas Rangers receive RHP Phil Maton; St. Louis Cardinals receive LHP Mason Molina, RHP Skylar Hales, international slot money.

Rangers grade: B+

Texas bolsters its bullpen with the veteran right-hander who has enjoyed a fine 2025 season as a high-leverage arm in St. Louis.

Cardinals grade: B

Two prospects and the international money is a nice return as they’ve fallen out of contention.

Cedric Mullins trade grades

New York Mets receive OF Cedric Mullins; Baltimore Orioles receive RHP Raimon Gomez, RHP Anthony Nuñez, RHP Chandler Marsh.

Mets grade: B+

Adding Mullins is nice for the Mets, giving them a plus defender in center field to phase out the glove-first Tyrone Taylor. He’s a rental but with his power-speed combination, Mullins could be a huge contributor down the stretch as New York tries to fight off Philadelphia for first place in the NL East.

Orioles grade: B+

Mullins’ time with the Orioles ends 10 years after the club drafted him in the 13th round. It’s certainly not the way Baltimore wanted to say goodbye to their longtime outfielder, but the Orioles got two of the Mets’ top 30 prospects in Nunez (No. 14) and Gomez (No. 30).

David Bednar trade grades

Yankees receive RHP David Bednar; Pittsburgh Pirates receive C/1B Rafael Flores, C/1B Edgleen Perez, OF Brian Sanchez.

Yankees grade: A

The Bombers bolster their bullpen for the stretch run and beyond, landing the two-time All-Star reliever who will be under team control through 2026. The 30-year-old’s addition is huge considering Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are free agents at the end of the season.

Pirates grade: C+

Holding one of the last relievers remaining on the market in the hours leading up to the deadline, you might have expected the Pirates to get more in this deal for a controllable All-Star. Flores ranks as the Yankees’ No. 8 prospect according to MLB.com, but he’s already 24 years old and has struggled since his promotion to Class AAA (.677 OPS in 10 games). Perez is 19 years old and has had a tough season in Class A (.209 average in 301 AB) but scouts hope his bat will catch up with his glove behind the plate.

Harrison Bader trade grades

Philadelphia Phillies receive OF Harrison Bader; Minnesota Twins receive OF Hendry Mendez, RHP Geremy Villoria.

Phillies grade: A-

Philadelphia gives up basically nothing to get one of the game’s better defensive center fielders, who should provide some pop for an outfield that desperately needs some. Bader has an .809 OPS in 31 career postseason games.

Twins grade: B+

Might as well get a couple of projects in exhange for a rental outfielder. The 21-year-old Mendez ranked as the Phillies’ 12th-best prospect and has an .808 OPS in 85 Class AA games this season. Signed as an international free agent this past winter, Villoria is just 16 years and old and recently made his pro debut with 19 strikeouts through five starts.

Kyle Finnegan trade grades

Detroit Tigers receive Kyle Finnegan; Washington Nationals receive RHP Josh Randall, RHP R.J. Sale

Tigers grade: B+

Finnegan isn’t Mason Miller or Jhoan Duran or Ryan Helsley, but the 33-year-old is a great addition to Detroit’s bullpen as a veteran with ninth-inning experience, saving 86 games over the past three seasons for the middling Nationals. An All-Star in 2024, Finnegan has only given up three home runs in 34 games this season and could take some save chances from Will Vest, who has 2.53 ERA in 16 saves for the Tigers in 2025.

Nationals grade: B

The least-sexy closer on the market, Finnegan netted the Nationals a pair of pitchers with Randall ranking as Detroit’s No. 15 prospect, according to MLB.com

Shane Bieber trade grades

Toronto Blue Jays receive RHP Shane Bieber; Cleveland Guardians receive RHP Khai Stephen.

Blue Jays grade: A-

Toronto is going for it! Bieber, the 2020 Cy Young winner, still hasn’t pitched in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery early in 2023 and hit some speedbumps in his rehab but the Blue Jays get a high-upside starter who is under team control through next year. Bieber has a $16 million team option (with a $4 million buyout) for 2026, which could end up looking like a steal.

Guardians grade: B+

Bieber gets traded before making his Cleveland return, a huge bummer for fans 30-year-old right-hander who was drafted by the organization in 2016. A second-round pick last year, Stephen was considered one of the Blue Jays’ top five prospects and is 9-1 with a 2.06 ERA in 91 ⅔ innings across three levels this season, currently in Class AA. Unfortunate that the Guardians had to let him go, but a nice return in the one-for-one swap.

Paul Sewald trade grades

Detroit Tigers receive RHP Paul Sewald; Cleveland Guardians receive player to be named later.

Tigers grade: B+

Sewald is injured and expected to return in September, so this is a move the Tigers are making for October. The 35-year-old had a 4.70 ERA in 18 games this season, but his underlying numbers look better than that with a 4.07 FIP, 1.174 WHIP and 4.5 strikeouts per walk.

Guardians grade: B

PTBNL for an injured reliever? Why not.

Eugenio Suárez trade grades

Seattle Mariners receive 3B Eugenio Suarez; Arizona Diamondbacks receive 1B Tyler Locklear, RHP Juan Burgos and RHP Hunter Cranton.

Mariners grade: B+

They got the top hitter available and it’s telling that the Mariners liked Suárez enough to bring him back after less than two years apart – despite his struggles in Seattle. That puts a ton of pressure on the slugger who is a free agent after the season. Mariners third basemen have totaled just five home runs and 35 RBIs this season, bottom-five in the majors in both categories, so it’s a move they had to make.

Diamondbacks grade: B+

Pretty good return, plucking three of Seattle’s top 20 prospects in Locklear (No. 9), Cranton (16) and Burgos (17). Locklear, 24, will likely find himself getting a run-out in Arizona’s lineup sooner rather than later. The first baseman made his big-league debut last season and has nothing left to prove in the minors (.316/.401/.552, 19 HR, 82 RBis in Class AAA).

Jhoan Duran trade grades

Philadelphia Phillies receive RHP Jhoan Duran; Minnesota Twins receive C Eduardo Tait, RHP Mick Abel

Phillies grade: A

Dave Dombrowski seized on his opportunity to get 2½ years of one of the best relievers in baseball in exchange for just a pair of prospects. It’s a huge addition for the Phillies, with Duran presumably assuming the ninth-inning role and taking a ton of pressure off the club’s other high-leverage guys. Philadelphia has the 27-year-old flamethrower under team control through 2027.

Twins grade: C-

It’s hard to believe that this is the best return the Twins could have gotten for the most desirable reliever on the market. That said, Tait is only 18 years old and rising fast on prospect boards, while Abel is a good candidate for a post-hype bounce back.

Ke’Bryan Hayes trade grades

Cincinnati Reds receive 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes; Pittsburgh Pirates receive LHP Taylor Rogers, SS Sammy Stafura

Reds grade: C+

Surprising move for Cincinnati, which is buying fairly low on Hayes, who remains one of the best defensive third basemen in the game. Maybe Hayes will benefit from a move to Great American Ball Park, one of MLB’s most hitter-friendly parks? It’s certainly a lower-risk move for the Reds taking on the remainder of Hayes’ salary – $30 million from 2026-2029 plus a $6 million buyout for 2030 – but third base isn’t usually a position that you’re willing to sacrifice offense at.

Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said Hayes ‘might be the best defender in baseball,’ but wasn’t as bullish on his new third baseman’s bat. ‘We know where the hitting has been,’ Francona said. ‘Sometimes a change of scenery − I don’t want to get too far ahead because I’ve barely talked to him but he seems excited and we’re excited to have him and see where it goes.’

Pirates grade: B

It’s naive to believe the Pirates will seriously reinvest the Hayes savings into winning games in the years to come, but the club cleared itself of a long-term deal with a guy who didn’t turn out to be what they expected. Credit where it’s due for Pittsburgh investing in Hayes with an eight-year, $70 million extension back in 2022 – and maybe they’re giving up too early on the 28-year-old at a low annual cost – but the deal nets $36 million in savings after the 2025 season. That said, the Pirates probably could have gotten a better return this winter.

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On Thursday, an emotional Roger Goodell gave his first interview since a gunman killed four people Monday in a targeted attack on the NFL’s Manhattan office.

Goodell spoke remotely by video to NBC’s Mike Tirico from New York. The 66-year-old, who opted not to attend the NFL’s Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, instead attended the funeral of slain NYPD officer Didarul Islam.

Goodell outlined feeling a sense of ‘tremendous loss’ at the funeral, despite noting it was a ‘heartwarming service.’

‘[He’s] somebody that we see outside the building most every day when we come in,’ Goodell said of Islam. ‘And it hits home, the unnecessary and unexplainable loss. It’s something that all of us as New Yorkers feel a great pride in the NYPD and the first responders. It was a difficult, emotional afternoon.’

Goodell also acknowledged it was difficult to grapple with the reality that the NFL was specifically targeted in the attack, and the pain it has brought to the league’s employees.

‘It’s a difficult thing, particularly when you’re dealing with a senseless act like this,’ Goodell said. ‘There are no excuses for the senseless acts. They’re hard for all of us to understand. When it inflicts pain on people you know and people you care about and people you deal with on a daily basis, that’s particularly hard.

‘But as you know, these acts of senseless violence are happening in our country and around our world far too often. In churches, and schools and synagogues and other places that this should just not be happening. We all have to continue to be vigilant and continue to protect ourselves. The NFL is going to continue to do that with our employees and our people.’

Goodell also provided another positive update on the NFL employee injured in the shooting. The 66-year-old said he visited the victim in the hospital, who is ‘stable and improving,’ and got to speak to his family.

But overall, Goodell’s tone was reserved and somber as he addressed the mass shooting.

‘This is an attack on humanity,’ Goodell said. ‘This is an attack on our communities. This is an attack on New York. This is an attack on our way of life.’

Move over, chain gang. A new measurement system has been introduced to the NFL, and fans got their first glimpse of it during Thursday’s preseason game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers.

The NFL’s virtual measurement system debuted during the first half of the Hall of Fame Game after a 10-yard run by Lions running back Craig Reynolds.

Rather than having the chain gang run out to the field, the officials simply waited for the virtual measurement system to calculate whether the veteran running back had made the line to gain.

Below is a look at how the process played out:

The virtual measurement was handled efficiently and didn’t disrupt the flow of the game. That left several prominent NFL voices impressed with the process and optimistic it will serve as a quality replacement for the chain gang, which remains on the sideline in case of an emergency.

However, a smaller cohort was reluctant to trust the new protocol. Others joked the process would be less aesthetically appealing than watching the chain gang determine whether a player generated a first down.

As long as the NFL’s virtual measurement process remains efficient, the league will probably not have too many regrets about switching to it as the primary method for measuring first downs.

The NFL returned tonight.

The Los Angeles Chargers kicked off the NFL’s Hall of Fame induction weekend with a resounding preseason win over the Detroit Lions.

The Chargers put together an all-around dominant performance in their 34-7 win over the Lions. Their defense and special teams forced five turnovers, leading to 17 points, while Trey Lance put together a strong showing as he battles for the backup quarterback job behind Justin Herbert.

Lance played the first three quarters of the game and flashed throughout the night. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft showed off his strong arm with numerous downfield passes, including a dotted downfield 28-yard dart to KeAndre Lambert-Smith. The fifth-year pro also showed off improved accuracy and ball placement, completing 13 of 20 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns on the evening.

Lance wasn’t the only young player to perform well. Undrafted cornerback Nikko Reed had an interception early in the game that earned him praise from Jim Harbaugh. Lambert-Smith also had a couple of nice catches, including a 15-yard touchdown during which he showed off his separation skills and shook loose from the Lions defender for the score.

Detroit’s five turnovers put a damper on its performance, but Dan Campbell’s squad had to be encouraged by the performance it got from rookie receivers Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett. The duo combined for seven catches and 77 yards despite up-and-down performances from quarterbacks Kyle Allen (9 for 14, 91 yards and two interceptions) and Hendon Hooker (3 of 6, 18 yards and one interception).

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the Hall of Fame Game matchup between the Chargers and Lions below. All times are Eastern.

Myles Purchase logs interception, fifth Chargers takeaway

The Chargers continue to force the Lions into turnovers. This time, it’s undrafted rookie Myles Purchase making the play. He managed to grab a pass intended for Dominic Lovett and returned it 49 yards.

Los Angeles will now kneel out a 34-7 win.

Kimani Vidal punches in 3-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal

The Chargers decided to go for it on fourth and goal late in the fourth quarter of the Hall of Fame Game. Vidal took a carry off tackle to the right side and he managed to find enough of a crease to power his way into the end zone.

Cameron Dicker makes the extra point, and the Chargers lead 34-7 with 3:42 left in regulation.

Chargers 34, Lions 7

DJ Uiagalelei checks into game for Chargers

Trey Lance’s day is done after he completed 13 of 20 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Finishing the game for Los Angeles will be Uiagalelei, an undrafted rookie who played collegiately at Clemson, Oregon State and Florida State.

Uiagalelei completed 1 of 2 passes for 12 yards on his first series of the game. The Chargers punted the ball back to the Lions after going 3-and-out.

Score update: Chargers leading Lions 27-7 entering fourth quarter

The Chargers have the Hall of Fame Game under control and will take a 20-point lead into the fourth quarter. 

Trey Lance has played the entire game thus far and performed well, completing 12 of 20 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns, resulting in a 114.6 passer rating. His performance could allow him to gain ground against Taylor Heinicke in the Chargers’ backup quarterback battle.

As for the Lions, they haven’t been able to consistently move the ball, as they were outgained 207-174 in the first three quarters. They have also turned the ball over four times without forcing a takeaway, which is the primary reason they find themselves down by so much.

Los Angeles and Detroit will likely get some of their back-end roster candidates more playing time in the fourth quarter.

Chargers extend lead with another Cameron Dicker field goal

Los Angeles continues to move the ball consistently on offense, but they stalled out in a goal-to-go scenario for the second consecutive drive. The Chargers nearly capped the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Dalevon Campbell, but he wasn’t able to keep his feet in bounds while catching a pass from Lance on the sideline.

Instead, the Chargers called upon Dicker to make a field goal. He was true from 27 yards to make it 27-7.

Chargers 27, Lions 7

Cameron Dicker makes 23-yard field goal

The Chargers couldn’t take full advantage of the Lions fumble, failing to gain a yard after the takeaway. Dicker was still able to get Los Angeles on the board, as he made the 23-yard field goal with ease to put the Chargers up three scores, 24-7.

Chargers 24, Lions 7

Lions fumble punt for fourth turnover of game

The Lions were about to get the ball back, trailing 21-7 in the second half, when Jakobie Keeney-James failed to reel in a towering J.K. Scott punt. The Chargers managed to jump on the ball, notching their fourth takeaway of the game and positioning Trey Lance with another goal-to-go opportunity.

Trey Lance stats today

Lance posted a strong first half in the Hall of Fame Game, showing off his strong arm and improved accuracy as he enters his fifth NFL season. He completed 9 of 12 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns, good for a 137.8 passer rating.

Halftime score: Chargers lead Lions 21-7 in Hall of Fame Game

The Lions got on the board in the second quarter, but the Chargers kept them at an arm’s length. Los Angeles’ defense has performed well, generating three turnovers, while the offense saw Trey Lance post a 137.8 passer rating in the first half.

Rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith has also flashed for Los Angeles, recording two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown and logging a game-long 28-yard reception.

The Lions have also had a pair of rookie receivers perform well. Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett have combined for six catches and 70 yards despite Kyle Allen’s up-and-down performance. Allen completed 9 of 14 passes for 91 yards but tossed two interceptions.

Detroit will need better quarterback play in the second half to make a game of this exhibition contest.

Trey Lance hits KeAndre Lambert-Smith for 15-yard touchdown

Lance’s strong first half continues. Just after the two-minute warning, he found Lambert-Smith, a fifth-round rookie out of Auburn, open. Lambert-Smith managed to get an angle on the Detroit defender and was easily able to get into the end-zone.

Dicker once again made the extra point to put the Chargers up 21-7 with 1:51 left in the first half

Chargers 21, Lions 7

Lions get on board with 3-yard Craig Reynolds TD run

The Lions capped off a 15-play, 60-yard drive by allowing Reynolds to punch in a 3-yard touchdown on second-and-goal. Jake Bates knocked in the extra point to cut Detroit’s deficit to 14-7.

Detroit’s drive lasted 9:29 and took up most of the second quarter. The Lions converted two fourth downs on the drive thanks to a Kyle Allen scramble and a Dominic Lovett catch on fourth-and-1 in the red-zone. Dan Campbell is remaining aggressive, even in the preseason.

Chargers 14, Lions 7

Score update: Chargers lead 14-0 after first quarter

Los Angeles got off to a good start to the Hall of Fame Game. The Chargers’ defense has forced three turnovers, two of which set them up for short-field touchdowns, while quarterback Trey Lance has also looked good, completing 6 of 8 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Meanwhile, Kyle Allen has been much shakier for the Lions, completing just 4 of 8 passes for 66 yards and two turnovers. If not for a Cameron Dicker field goal miss, Detroit’s deficit could be worse.

Kyle Allen throws second interception

Allen tried to take a downfield shot to third-round rookie Isaac TeSlaa after enjoying a solid start to Detroit’s second offensive drive. However, the veteran quarterback overthrew TeSlaa, which allowed safety Tony Jefferson to track down the ball in the end-zone and make a diving interception.

The Chargers will get the ball back on their 20-yard line.

Who is Nikko Reed?

Reed is an undrafted rookie who played four seasons of college football at Oregon. The 5-10, 160-pound cornerback notched five interceptions across four seasons (49 games) and logged seven pass defenses in each of his final three seasons with the Ducks.

Reed has impressed thus far at Chargers camp and logged an interception in the first quarter of the Hall of Fame Game.

Kimani Vidal punches in 2-yard TD run

Once again, the Chargers scored off a Lions turnover. Two plays after Nikko Reed’s interception, Vidal got the ball and ran into the end zone for the score.

Cameron Dicker’s extra point was good, giving the Chargers an early 14-0 lead over the Lions.

Chargers 14, Lions 0

Nikko Reed intercepts Kyle Allen, sets up goal-to-go opportunity for Chargers

Reed went undrafted in 2025 and wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, but he is making a name for himself early in the NFL preseason. He undercut a pass intended for Tom Kennedy and returned it 60 yards to put Los Angeles at the 6-yard line.

Cameron Dicker hits upright with 53-yard field goal attempt

Dicker went 9 for 11 on attempts from 50-plus yards during the 2024 season. His first such attempt of the preseason didn’t go as well, as it doinked off the left upright and didn’t go through.

The Chargers maintain a 7-0 lead despite Dicker’s miss, though Detroit will get the ball near midfield as the Lions look to score for the first time.

Trey Lance hits Will Dissly for 5-yard TD

The first touchdown of the 2025 NFL preseason belongs to the Chargers. Lance, the former No. 3 overall pick by the 49ers, feathered a fourth-and-2 pass to Dissly, a veteran tight end, to get Los Angeles on the board.

Cameron Dicker converted the extra point to give the Chargers an early 7-0 lead in Canton.

Chargers 7, Lions 0

Lions fumble opening kickoff

The 2025 NFL preseason starts with a turnover. Lions return man Grant Stuard had the ball pop out of his hands after he hit into the back of his teammate, Anthony Pittman.

The Chargers scooped up the loose ball to set themselves up in scoring range for the first offensive drive of the NFL season.

Hall of Fame Game start time 

Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025 
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET 

The Lions vs. Chargers game will kick off the 2025 NFL preseason at 8:00 p.m. ET. 

Hall of Fame Game TV Channel 

Cable TV: NBC 

How to live stream Hall of Fame Game?

Streaming: Peacock | Fubo 

Watch the ‘Hall of Fame Game’ on Peacock

Hall of Fame Game odds, Lions vs. Chargers moneyline, over/under 

The Lions are favorites to defeat the Chargers, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2025 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code. 

Spread: Lions (-1.5) 
Moneyline: Lions (-118); Chargers (+100) 
Over/under: 32.5 

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered. 

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Where is the Hall of Fame Game played? 

The Hall of Fame Game is played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. It is a significant part of Hall of Fame Village that seats over 20,000 people. It serves as the home field for Canton City Schools’ McKinley High School Bulldogs. It has been a host site for numerous championship events, including the inaugural USFL Championship Game, the 2021 NCAA DIII Stagg Bowl, and over two decades of OHSAA high school football championship games. 

Hall of Fame Game weather update 

It’s going to be a cloudy night in Canton with a high of 66 degrees at kickoff and a low of 61 degrees at midnight. According to the AccuWeather forecast, wind gusts will max out at 30 mph while the chances of precipitation are below 10% for the entire game. 

When is the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony?

The Enshrinement starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Chris Berman from ESPN will host the event, which will celebrate the Class of 2025.

Who are the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees? 

Two days after tonight’s game, former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2025. Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Sterling Sharpe are joining him as part of this year’s class. 

When does the NFL regular season start? 

Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 4 – Monday, Sept. 8 

The NFL regular season begins when the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles kick off in Philadelphia on Thursday, Sept. 4. 

Week 1 continues with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers clashing in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Friday, Sept. 5. The remainder of the opening week’s slate continues Sunday and concludes Monday. 

Who are the Hall of Fame Game announcers for NBC? 

Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play duties during the game, with Cris Collinsworth providing color commentary. Melissa Stark will be reporting from the sidelines and and Terry McAulay will be the rules analyst on hand. 

Hall of Fame Game history for Lions and Chargers 

This will be the Lions’ fourth trip to Canton and the Chargers’ third. Neither team has played in the Hall of Fame Game since 1994. The Chargers (0-1-1) were part of the only scoreless game in the event’s history. They tied with the Green Bay Packers in 1980, but the game was halted in the fourth quarter due to a severe storm. The Lions (1-2) last played in the Hall of Fame Game in 1991, where they defeated the Broncos 14-3.