The Detroit Lions' biggest win from the first day of free agency agreements was, by far, their signing of Cade Mays to a very team-friendly deal.
Mays' three-year, $14 million deal feels like a prove-it contract, with Mays likely being handed over the keys to Detroit's line right away. It adds major depth to the position of center, and helps add insurance behind Tate Ratledge if the team does opt to slide him in at that spot at some point during the season.
Most of all, this deal is being universally praised as a no-brainer for Detroit to have gotten done. They had a huge need at center, and they snagged one of the cheapest, and best, options on that front. And, one Panthers expert completely agrees with that assessment. Garrett Klaus of Cat Crave wrote:
"Over the last two seasons, Mays allowed just 21 pressures across 756 pass blocking snaps, producing a pass blocking efficiency score of 98.6, which ranked among the top centers in the league. In other words, this wasn’t just a replacement level lineman putting together a decent stretch. Mays had developed into a reliable interior presence entering his prime years...For Detroit, it looks like a cost effective solution at a premium position."
He added, "Instead of paying a moderate price to retain a young, productive starter, the Panthers will now likely have to explore alternatives (either through free agency or the draft) to replace him. And if Mays continues the steady upward trajectory he showed in Carolina, the Panthers’ choice not to match Detroit’s offer could look even more questionable in hindsight."
Lions might ignite some fires in Carolina thanks to Cade Mays signing
The NFC South is not Detroit's ministry. They do face teams in that division in 2026, including a match-up with recently departed Alex Anzalone during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, Carolina is still an up and coming force within the entire conference, with the team having pushed the Los Angeles Rams to their limits during the NFC Wild Card Round this past year.
So, losing such an important piece to their offensive line - one that had done a pretty great job of protecting Bryce Young down the stretch of their postseason push - feels like a fumble.
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They added Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd to their defense, which are stellar signings, but losing Mays impacts their line and Young in a few ways. He has less protection up front, he has to form chemistry with a new center for 2026, and Carolina also loses consistency overall with the rest of their pass protection. All to save...$14 million over three years.
As Klaus notes, Mays wasn't just some plug and play center for Carolina. He showed genuine long term promise. Detroit just bought that promise from right under them, and it could have a ripple effect for their entire offense.