Cade Mays' return to the Detroit Lions set up a potentially messy rotation between himself and Juice Scruggs. Scruggs, who has been starting in place of the injured lineman, has been really solid for the Lions. He's a big part of why the team has seen their offensive line go from one of the worst in the league to one of the best in just one season.
Of course, Scruggs is also a big part of why the Lions have gotten off to some slow starts this season. The first quarter pressure on Jared Goff, especially up the middle of the line, has been relentless. So, why not see if you can note some changes there by throwing Mays onto the starting line right away?
That's exactly what head coach Dan Campbell has indicated will be the case for the teams' Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers, telling 97.1 FM on Wednesday morning that Mays will get the start.
Dan Campbell says he does not want to do a center rotation this week.
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) October 21, 2026
Certainly sounds like Cade Mays is set to start.
Lions' choice to avoid a center rotation is the right move
Detroit risked ruining the Lions' rhythm on offense with a center rotation. This isn't like what the team wanted to initially do with Christian Mahogany and Ben Bartch at left guard. The center is controlling the tempo of snaps, and has to also note pre-snap pressure while controlling that aspect of the game. That's a huge role, and one you shouldn't be meddling with when your offense is already struggling to launch at the start of games.
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Mays is a seasoned center, so unlike Scruggs, it's not like he has to re-learn the position or get used to running snaps again. Obviously, this week of practice will be crucial to getting his rhythm back with Jared Goff, but he's getting paid to be the Lions' long-term starting center. They need to throw him to the wolves, as it were.
Scruggs adds to great depth along line for rest of season
Scruggs, now likely to ride the bench barring an absolute stinker of a debut from Mays, is now an excellent backup for any of the Lions' guards in addition to being Mays' backup. This is such a luxury for a Lions team that had to go through a rotating cast of practice squad call-ups and be reliant on rookie talent in 2025 along their line.
He also figures to be another competitor for the guard room, specifically against Mahogany - although, Mahogany has done more than enough to lock up the starting job there. On the year, he's allowed just four pressures and two quarterback hits, and zero sacks.
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