Cade Mays' debut with the Detroit Lions was a mixed bag. Two costly errors from the starting center led directly to two turnovers, and he's lucky that the Lions' defense stepped up for a second game in a row. If they hadn't, those turnovers might've been the plays that kept the Lions from winning Week 7 over the Green Bay Packers.
Outside of those plays, though, Mays looked like he hadn't missed a step as a pass blocker for the Lions, despite having literally never suited up for the team before Week 7. The Lions' first drive, which resulted in a score, was proof positive of his impact. The lack of pressure on Jared Goff helped land the Lions in the endzone early on in the contest, and Mays was a direct contributor to that.
If fans are concerned about Mays' remaining adjustment period for Detroit - especially with a game against a fearsome Minnesota Vikings defensive line lingering - they should feel a bit more at ease thanks to the rest of Mays' game outside of those turnovers.
Mays' impact was felt in season debut
One thing that the Lions could've used improvement in despite a great start from Juice Scruggs is with their pass blocking in the first half of games. They kept getting off to slow starts because of how incessantly defensive lines were getting Goff on the ground.
Mays immediately fixed that issue in the first quarter, and throughout the game:
Jared Goff was pressured five times vs. the Packers. That's tied for the fifth-fewest pressures allowed in a game this season.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) October 26, 2026
The Lions allowed a pressure rate of 15.2 percent against the Packers. That's the fourth-lowest pressure rate allowed in a game this season.
Their line has, for the most part, kept Goff on his feet this season. But there's no doubt that they've struggled early in games with adjusting to teams' defensive scheming. Mays' impact is obvious in this way.
One lineman continues to struggle for Lions
On the flip side of the Lions' success with their offensive line, they've struggled to incorporate Larry Borom as a swing tackle without completely messing up their groove on offense. Per numbers pulled by Pride of Detroit's Al Karsten:
Detroit Lions Offense — Larry Borom On/Off Splits Since Week 4 (per RayCarp):
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) October 26, 2026
• Plays: 22 | 177
• Success Rate: 36.4% | 49.7%
• EPA/Play: -0.228 | +0.180
• Pass Rate: 27.3% | 63.8%
• Run Rate: 72.7% | 36.2%
• Yards/Play: 2.5 | 6.9
On | Off https://t.co/ZzcIiZRocM
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When seeking an extra blocker, the Lions have gone with a jumbo package with Borom involved. And, the returns are terrible. You'd rather see the Lions try to run a similar package with an additional TE rather than Borom in at tackle. He just leaves Goff, and Jahmyr Gibbs, so vulnerable with his lack of effective pass blocking and run blocking.
In a universe where the Lions actually have a wealth of talent along their line - specifically by way of Scruggs, who could perhaps figure in as a versatile tackle and guard option in these jumbo packages moving forward - they should be experimenting more. Settling for Borom is getting them the same result, over and over.
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