The Detroit Lions must find a way to extend their championship window this offseason and everything is on the table. The Lions missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022 last year and if they don’t want to repeat that performance, they’ll need to find a way to upgrade the interior of their offensive line.
The Lions would probably like to keep Christian Mahogany on the left side of the offensive line, but the future of Tate Ratledge is up in the air as Detroit is considering a move to center. Even if both players stay at their positions and they go elsewhere, they’ll need depth after seeing the group crumble under the weight of injuries a year ago.
The last part should have the Lions searching for players with starting experience, and the answer could be former Green Bay Packers guard Jon Runyan Jr. if he's released by the New York Giants.
Lions Could Pounce on Former Packer Jon Runyan If Cut by Giants
Runyan isn’t the biggest name on the block during cutting season, but he brings an extensive resume if he becomes available. A sixth-round pick by the Packers in the 2020 draft, Runyan has 5,266 offensive snaps to his name, according to Pro Football Focus, and was effective when called upon, allowing 124 pressures and 11 sacks on 3,165 pass-blocking snaps.
Unfortunately, Runyan hasn’t lived up to his salary. After playing at a replacement level during his rookie contract, Runyan signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the New York Giants. His two years in the Big Apple haven’t gone well with overall grades of 56.1 in 2024 and 52.9 in 2025, but he also allowed 60 pressures and four sacks on 1,106 pass-blocking snaps.
With an $11.75 million cap hit per Over The Cap and a new coach in John Harbaugh, Runyan is unlikely to stick around. Yet he could give the Lions one more option to solidify their offensive line issues if he becomes available.
Runyan’s pass-blocking chops would be valuable for a team that struggled to protect Jared Goff from interior pressure last season. If the Lions viewed him as a starter, they could use him at right guard and move Tate Ratledge to the center position.
There’s also a chance that Runyan could be a strong reserve at this point of his career. While he’s previously said he feels more comfortable on the left side of the line, he’s also been serviceable on the right, which is more than the Lions could say about backups Kayode Awosika and Trystan Colon.
A reserve role would also help the Lions get an extended look at 2025 fifth-round pick Miles Frazier, who saw most of his season wiped out by a preseason knee injury.
At 28 years old, there could be another team willing to give Runyan one last chance as a starter. But for a Lions team that needs help, Runyan would at least be effective competition for the interior spots.
While it wouldn’t generate massive reaction, the Lions could bring the former Michigan grad home, making a gamble on the former Packer worth it if he comes available in the next few weeks.