If Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions were looking to sign a starting-caliber center talent in free agency, the universe is seemingly answering that call.
In just the last week or so, two perfect targets for Holmes in free agency have become available through cuts from their respective teams: Lloyd Cushenberry with the Tennessee Titans, and Tyler Biadasz with the Washington Commanders. Cushenberry was a casualty to a failed physical designation, with the team saving $7.1 million in cap space by cutting him.
As for Biadasz, the Commanders maybe knew something about his recovery from a torn ACL that isn't publicly available. That's how confusing this cut is, as it only saves them $2.8 million against the cap, and leaves them with $8.1 million in dead money.
It seems like his cut might have something to do with a changing of the guard in Washington, as well, with former Lions quarterback David Blough now controlling their offense. Still, Biadasz goes from being one of Washington's more reliable starters on offense to a free agent - and a potentially perfect target for Holmes once free agency opens up on March 9.
Holmes has two potentially great targets at center in free agency
Cushenberry and Biadasz offer two different paths for Holmes to take. With Cushenberry, the team would be taking a bit of a risk signing him due to the fact that he was cut over a failed physical. That'd just be adding another question mark to Detroit's depth that is already riddled with injury issues.
But, he's only going to be 29 years old at the start of the season, so would the Lions see him as an investment at the position with starters experience to boot?
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Biadasz probably fits the Lions' timeline more snugly. While he is recovering from a torn ACL, his numbers from the 2025 season could really tip the scale in his favor for a contending team like the Lions: a 67.1 pass blocking grade and a 71.2 run blocking grade, which was good for 12th amongst 40 eligible centers.
Perhaps Detroit could sign Biadasz and shift Tate Ratledge over to center temporarily until he's ready to go in 2026, or they could take a swing on one of the expected Day 2 or 3 centers in this year's draft that are earning some buzz - Jake Slaughter, Sam Hecht, or Connor Lew. They could even take a guard in the draft that could step in for Ratledge in this scenario.
This is all to say, the Lions have a lot of options falling in their lap right now. This is a surprisingly deep year in free agency and in the draft for positions of major need in Detroit.