One of the biggest priorities for the Detroit Lions this offseason is to fix their offensive line. The center position is one piece of that puzzle, as it was compromised when Frank Ragnow announced his retirement last summer. After a year of scrambling, many fans believe that the best way to plug the hole is by signing Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Linderbaum is the top center and one of the top overall free agents in this year’s class. While he would be an instant upgrade, he also wouldn’t come cheap, as Spotrac estimates a $17.7 million market value and a four-year, $70.8 million contract if he hits the open market next month.
With the added possibility that the Ravens use the franchise tag to keep him, the Lions must figure out a contingency plan if they can’t sign Linderbaum. That could have them going deeper down the free agent class and targeting Cade Mays of the Carolina Panthers.
Cade Mays Is Lions’ Affordable Alternative to Tyler Linderbaum in Free Agency
Mays hits the open market after four solid years in Carolina. While he was in a reserve role in the first two seasons, he entered the starting lineup during the 2024 campaign and made 12 starts as part of 14 total appearances for the Panthers last season. In those two years, Mays hasn’t allowed a sack and has a 3.0% pressure rate on 751 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
While his 58.3 run blocking grade last season is far behind Linderbaum’s 85.3 grade with the Ravens last season, Mays’s performance in pass-blocking may be the deciding factor.Â
Last year, the Lions rolled with Graham Glasgow, who wasn’t terrible with 19 pressures and a sack allowed on 495 pass-blocking snaps. But it was also an issue with a weak interior that included a bumpy rookie season by Tate Ratledge and an injury to Christian Mahogany that exposed their depth. At age 27, Mays also has room to grow, which should fit into the Lions’ short and long-term plans at the position.
Spotrac estimates that Mays has a market value of $12.2 million and could ask for a three-year, $36.7 million contract in free agency. While $5.5 million doesn’t seem like a large amount of savings, that money could be used to shore up some of the Lions’ other weaknesses, including their depth at offensive tackle and safety, as well as an effective pass-rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.
The Lions are entering a critical stage in their championship window, and signing Linderbaum would be a huge splash. But Detroit could solve the same problem with a cheaper option like Mays and make the team stronger entering 2026. After seeing the Seattle Seahawks use undrafted free agent Jalen Sundell at center during their Super Bowl run, this may be one area where a conservative approach may be just as effective as an aggressive one.