The Detroit Lions entered free agency with a (mostly) unexpected void when long-time left tackle Taylor Decker requested his release, which was subsequently granted.
Thankfully, the mystery surrounding Decker's future was cleared up ahead of time, unlike center Frank Ragnow's retirement after last year's draft. This gave the Lions ample opportunity to pivot and secure a replacement, which meant all eyes were on former Green Bay Packers LT Rasheed Walker at the top of the OT class.
The Lions would sign former Miami Dolphins OT Larry Borom early in free agency, but despite that, the door was still open for a second OT signing. Lions had two vacancies to fill after backup Dan Skipper's retirement, after all.
Instead, Walker signed with the Carolina Panthers for a one-year, up to $10 million deal. Maybe consider it revenge for the Lions signing former Panthers center Cade Mays. But just one year? Only $10 million? For the top tackle on the market? That's way lower than the initial projections of roughly $20 million a year for multiple years.
Lions could've done that along with Borom. Really fortify the OT position, while still offering the flexibility to draft and develop a long-term OT of the future. Yes, the Lions have other needs, especially on defense, but Walker at that price point feels too good to pass up, so long as he holds off on the undefeated predictions two weeks into the season.
So why bring up Walker again? He's old news now, right? Well, remember the words "up to" as it pertains to his deal with the Panthers? More information has come to light about his deal and, as it turns out, Walker signed for a base salary of $4 million, which can become $10 million through incentives.
the Panthers contract for LT Rasheed Walker is actually a 1 year - $4 million base deal
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 18, 2026
heavily incentive-laden to get to the $10 million that was first reported
hell of a move by Dan Morgan/Brandt Tillis pic.twitter.com/rCyZTorg2c
The Lions, if you recall, signed Borom to a one-year, $5 million deal. While Walker's incentives could include simple requirements, such as playing X number of games, the Lions are paying Borom more money as it stands now.
With a heavy need at OT with Decker's departure, seeing Walker's contract is going to be a tough pill to swallow, as the Lions appeared to have the financial bandwidth to sign the top OT on the market, but didn't.
Borom looks to be penciled in as the starter
Of course, it takes two to tango. It's possible Walker wasn't keen on going to a division rival. It's also possible Walker didn't fit the Lions' plans.
Walker is specifically an LT, the same as Decker. Walker played all 986 of his offensive snaps there. With Decker gone, the door is now open for RT Penei Sewell to make his long-awaited shift to LT, instantly giving quarterback Jared Goff one of the best blindside protectors in the NFL.
READ MORE: New Lions OT Larry Borom on what it means to come home to Detroit
This is where Borom comes into play. Borom played all of his 664 snaps last season at RT. He also played other positions on the line throughout his career. However, his latest stint at RT saw him drastically improve as a pass-blocker, where he, as Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit noted, was fifth best in pass blocking grade among OTs from Week 5 to Week 18 on Pro Football Focus.
The Lions must've noticed that sharp improvement, and are betting on Borom's high upside. Between that, the likely shift to LT for Sewell, and the potential drafting of an OT, it starts to become clear why Walker is a Panther today and not a Lion. Looking at the deal Walker signed, hopefully, the decision not to sign him doesn't come back to bite them in the end.