Lions Schedule Rumor: Chiefs Requested Bears Game Not Occur Overseas

Could the Lions still play the Chiefs overseas?

It was presumed, based on multiple reports, that the Detroit Lions would not be playing the Kansas City Chiefs overseas. 

Even Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown posted his disappointment online after discovering it was all but likely that the Chiefs would be facing the Bears in Germany this upcoming season. 

But wait. 

According to a report this week by NFL reporter Peter King, the scheduled International Series game involving the Chiefs in Germany may not be against the Bears after all. 

"I’m told Kansas City requested that the Chicago game not be played overseas," King reports. "As for 2024, it’s hard to imagine Carolina would not try to keep Patrick Mahomes’ only currently scheduled game in Charlotte for the next eight years at Bank of America Stadium. You might ask, Wouldn’t Kansas City want to protect red-hot home games against Buffalo, Cincinnati and Philadelphia from moving to Germany? The league would almost certainly not schedule those games for overseas, because Germany games are played in the 9:30 a.m. ET window, which is not nearly as conducive to big ratings as are Sunday late-afternoon or primetime games."

If the Chiefs get their wish, Detroit may be among the teams considered, especially given St. Brown's family ties to Germany. 

While it has been expected that the schedule will be released this week, organizing the primetime games and creating the schedule have been a time-consuming affair, and may not actually be released on Thursday. 

"The release of the schedule, which the NFL had hoped to have for a primetime show Thursday night, may be delayed," writes King. "It’s still likely to be done in time for release Thursday at 8 p.m., but I was told over the weekend it may not be finished in time."

Lions back in play for Germany this year? From @peter_king this morning, the Chiefs requested the Bears game NOT be moved overseas. ... Schedule due to come out Thursday.

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 8, 2023

Lions surprise team in King's latest NFL power rankings

In King's latest NFL power rankings, Detroit comes in ranked sixth, and is described as a team "on the border" of Super Bowl contention. 

"Loved ‘em with their 8-2 record after Halloween," King explained. "I still find myself smitten with the Lions. But curious move this offseason. The Lions took what wasn’t broken and tried to fix it. Jamaal Williams/D’Andre Swift last year: 1,608 rushing yards, 4.5 per rush, 22 rushing touchdowns. Now both are gone. That’s pressure on Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, particularly when the head coach is a big-time running guy."