The Detroit Lions didn’t break the bank to fix their offensive line. Instead of spending $81M on Tyler Linderbaum, Detroit landed Cade Mays for $25M. Could the Lions have quietly found their next starting center at a bargain?
Free agency is underway, and the Detroit Lions have already made their first move to address the offensive line, signing center Cade Mays. Mays most recently played with the Carolina Panthers and now steps into an important role for Detroit as the team begins reshaping its offensive line ahead of the 2026 season.
Detroit entered free agency with clear needs along the interior of the offensive line. With veteran lineman Graham Glasgow no longer in the picture, the Lions needed to find a new starting center while also solidifying the guard position. There had been some internal discussion about potentially moving rookie guard Tate Ratledge to center, but the signing of Mays suggests the Lions prefer to keep Ratledge at guard where he is more comfortable.
Mays signed a three-year deal worth $25 million with Detroit, giving the Lions a starting center at a relatively modest price. The deal also looks even more team-friendly when compared to other contracts handed out at the position. For example, star center Tyler Linderbaum signed a massive three-year, $81 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. While Linderbaum is considered one of the best centers in the league, Detroit clearly chose a more cost-effective route while still adding a capable starter.
At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, Mays brings impressive size to the position. The 26-year-old has experience with both the Panthers and the New York Giants and has gradually developed into a reliable interior offensive lineman. His size and strength fit the mold of the type of linemen Detroit has prioritized in recent seasons—big, physical blockers who can hold up in pass protection and move defenders in the run game.
Looking at his 2025 season, Mays turned in a solid performance according to Pro Football Focus. He posted a 62.4 overall grade, ranking 24th among 40 graded centers. His run-blocking grade came in at 58.4, ranking 33rd, while his pass-blocking grade was much stronger at 69.4, which ranked 13th among centers.
Mays was also heavily involved in Carolina’s offense last season. He logged 726 total snaps, the 29th most among centers. Of those snaps, 429 came in pass protection while 297 were run-blocking snaps. Despite the workload, he kept mistakes to a minimum, committing only two penalties all season.
Pass protection is where Mays really stood out. Across his 429 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed zero sacks, only three quarterback hits and 11 total pressures. That pressure total ranked ninth among centers, an encouraging sign for a Lions offense that depends heavily on protecting quarterback Jared Goff and keeping the pocket clean.
His 2024 season also showed strong potential, even though he played fewer snaps. Mays posted a 66.1 overall grade that year, along with a 66.9 run-blocking grade and a 74.9 pass-blocking grade. That pass-blocking mark ranked sixth among centers, highlighting the upside that Detroit is hoping to tap into.
Over the course of his career, Mays has played 1,706 snaps and has been relatively steady in pass protection. During that time, he has allowed only four sacks, six quarterback hits and 42 total pressures. Those numbers suggest he can provide the consistency the Lions expect from the center position.
Mays will essentially take over the role previously held by Glasgow, who struggled at times during the 2025 season. Glasgow finished the year with a 56.8 overall grade from PFF, including a 54.3 run-blocking grade and a 61.3 pass-blocking grade. He also allowed eight quarterback hits and 19 pressures, which opened the door for Detroit to look for a new option at the position.
While Mays may not be the flashiest signing of the offseason, he represents a younger and potentially more reliable option for Detroit’s offensive line. His ability to protect the quarterback and limit pressures should help stabilize the middle of the line.
For a Lions team that has built its identity around strong line play, this move fits the overall philosophy. If Mays can build on the promise he showed in 2024 and continue his steady pass protection, Detroit may have quietly found a solid long-term solution at center—without having to spend top-of-the-market money.