For the first time in what feels like an eternity, the Detroit Lions find themselves with a good problem to have at offensive line.
Center Cade Mays is returning from a wrist injury this week that’s kept him out since August, and it’ll force some interesting conversations about what to do with Juice Scruggs– who has been playing very well in his stead.
You would be forgiven for thinking Scruggs was little more than a throw-in in the David Montgomery trade the Lions made with the Houston Texans. But when Mays went down, Scruggs assumed the starting role.
It’s gone better than anyone could have expected. Scruggs is currently Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 graded center in football. He’s anchored Detroit’s running game and been a menace in pass protection.
Some might say it’s the easy call to ride with the hot hand. But the Lions paid Mays to be their starter— his 3-year, $25 million deal was the only starter money they handed out this offseason.
In his press conference Monday, it didn’t really seem like head coach Dan Campbell quite knew what to do.
“That's the hard thing. Juice is playing pretty good football for us right now. He's done a good job. He's gotten better every week,” Campbell said. ”Juice is a freaking team guy. It doesn't mean that if it comes to that, that he doesn't like that. Because there's definitely an argument to keep him rolling because he's playing good football.”
Lions face a tough Week 7 decision amid Mays' return
Mays rose up the ranks to become one of the NFL’s top centers as a Carolina Panther, after spending his first two seasons as a guard. His combination of strength and smarts up front made him an ideal fit for Detroit— whose offensive line was reeling after the retirement of legendary center Frank Ragnow in June 2025.
As a whole, Detroit’s offensive line looks vastly improved this year, and much closer to the vaunted units the team rolled out from 2022 to 2024. But 2025 was a disastrous year for the Lions in the trenches, and should serve as a stark reminder of how important it is for them to get this group right.
Plus, with how bad the Lions’ defense has been, they really don’t have any margin for error with any facet of the offense if they want to remain competitive.
So, what should they do? Campbell was asked if he thought Scruggs could kick over to a guard spot.
“There's not too much I don't think Juice couldn't do, really,” he said. “And obviously, the guard [position] comes into play. I think some of it will need to be dependent on how much Cade can play — you know, we keep Juice ready to go at center, you know, because he's really plug and play in that regard. The IDs, all of those things. And then the more comfortable we get, then Juice is working the guard position a little bit with those guys.”
Scruggs was a natural center in college at Penn State, but spent significant time at left guard in Houston.
Tate Ratledge has been stout this year at right guard and the Lions invested a second round pick in him last year, so you’ve got to think left guard Christian Mahogany would be the odd man out if the Lions were to put both Scruggs and Mays in the lineup.
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The only problem with that? Mahogany is also having a great year. He’s currently PFF’s No. 3 guard in football. Nevertheless, he had a bad 2025, and the Lions made him earn his starting role last year. He’s already missed a game (Week 2) with an injury this season too, so his leash could be relatively short now that Mays is back.
Mays’ return gives the Lions some needed depth at the very least with Ben Bartch on injured reserve. And Scruggs and Mahogany’s good play means they don’t have to rush Mays back or overload him when he’s not ready.
“The good news is, one way or another, we get Cade worked back in with Juice playing pretty good,” Campbell said. “Mahogany’s had a couple of good weeks. Well, now we’ve got some guys. We got a pretty good pretty good crew there to go with and get better as the season goes through throughout.”
The Lions would probably tell you this situation is more of a luxury than it is a dilemma— but they’ve still got to figure it out. That starting lineup when they host the Green Bay Packers this week will be a fascinating one to look out for.
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