Overall, the Detroit Lions' offense wasn't notably worse than it had been in previous years last season. But something was off throughout, as reflected by week-to-week inconsistency, a change in play caller midseason, etc.
The engine of the Lions' success offensively has been the offensive line. The performance of the unit overall was lacking in 2025 though, starting with center Frank Ragnow putting the front office in a bind by not formally announcing his retirement until early last June.
How the Lions' offensive line will look next season is a big question. Left tackle Taylor Decker is considering retirement, center/guard Graham Glasgow is a potential cap casualty and Christian Mahogany's grip on the starting job at left guard feels tenuous.
On the plus side, the right side of the line, with Penei Sewell and Tate Ratledge, seems to be locked down until further notice.
Free agent with tie to Drew Petzing could fit into Lions' OL puzzle
Following in the footsteps of soon-to-be former teammate David Njoku, free agent guard Wyatt Teller has taken to social media to declare he won't be back with the Cleveland Browns after spending the last seven seasons there.
Teller is a three-time Pro Bowler (2021-2023) and a two-time Second-Team All-Pro (2020 and 2021). But he has missed time in each of the last two seasons, and his Pro Football Focus grades have eroded in-kind. Assuming health after playing with a calf issue for a lot of last season, he could fit into the Lions' offensive line picture this offseason.
Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing was, as we know at this point, on the Browns' coaching staff for three seasons (2020-2022) before he became the Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator. As he puts his stamp on the offensive system in Detroit, players he knows and would fit well could be on the radar.
Jeff Risdon of Detroit Lions Podcast outlined the fit.
Wyatt Teller would be my top Lions IOL free agent target. Plug-and-play scheme fit, culture fit, upgrades the run game immediately and won't break the bank. Should be healthy after battling a calf issue for a lot of 2025. Would require moving Ratledge to either C or LG tho
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) February 18, 2026
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Of course, as Risdon noted, Teller plays right guard. So signing him would mean moving Ratledge to another position.
Ratledge got some work at center last summer, starting in rookie minicamp as the Lions foreshadowed a succession plan for Ragnow, but he ultimately settled in at right guard and acquitted himself nicely last season. He did play a very little bit of left guard in college at Georgia, but if he's moved off right guard it will be to center or it shouldn't happen.
Decker's decision about his future is not in the Lions' control when it comes to the construction of their offensive line next season and beyond. Everything else in that regard is in their control this offseason though, and Teller is now on the list of options who could fit into the picture.