The Detroit Lions aren't going to want to kick the proverbial can down the road too much for 2026 free agency, which is to say, the team is probably not looking to restructure too many deals in order to open up immediate spending room in exchange for long-term financial woes.
Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell all seem like likely candidates for restructurings, but until we know for sure who's getting that treatment, the Lions are working with negative cap space ahead of a busy free agency.
They've got several roster holes to fill at center, tackle, safety, pass rusher, and potentially linebacker, and only have the money to really invest in one or two of those.
Center is probably going to be the biggest hole to fill in free agency, since the draft tends to have more projects at that position than bonafide starters. After seeing how much the line struggled with Graham Glasgow snapping to Jared Goff, it's clear that Detroit has to invest in an actual, full-time center in addition to probably drafting another.
One solution to that issue could be Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays. As LionsOnSI writer Vito Chirco wrote of that potential signing:
"He’s allowed just 21 pressures and zero sacks across 756 pass-blocking snaps during that span. Plus, his 98.6 pass-blocking efficiency rating, calculated by Pro Football Focus, was tied for ninth among qualifying centers in 2025. For comparison, Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, one of the best players available in this year's free agent class, finished 30th in EFF (97.2), permitting 26 pressures and two sacks across 536 pass-blocking snaps this past season."Â
Lions could avoid a huge Linderbaum payday with Mays signing
Mays, who is only 26 years old, would be a far better investment for the Lions at center than what they attempted to do with Glasgow in 2025. Additionally, having a young center that is tracking upward in his development would allow for Tate Ratledge to remain at right guard, which is where he looked most comfortable his rookie season.
Detroit has to look at the draft for both tackle help and help for their IOL, so it's not like they're going to leave the process without some depth at that position, either. But, it'd be a huge mistake to not test free agency for smaller, positive signings like this Mays proposal from Chirco.
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Assuming the team isn't making a huge swing trade for a pass rusher and is going to opt for the draft to find one, instead, they'll have more than enough money to sign someone like Mays in addition to someone to help them out at tackle, pass rusher, or linebacker.
One thing's for sure: Linderbaum feels like a longshot right now with their cap situation. He might be the best fit for their ceiling, but Detroit can't get that done unless they shed some major money.