The Detroit Lions could be in the market for another starting lineman this offseason, depending on what they do with center Graham Glasgow. Glasgow is considered a potential cap casualty for the Lions, who are currently projected to be $9.6 million over the salary cap, per Over The Cap.
If the Lions part ways with Glasgow after three seasons and do so before June 1, Detroit would take on $2.87M in dead cap, but get $5.5 million in cap savings. Then Detroit could move Tate Ratledge from right guard to center, opening up the starting right guard spot.
If that happens, Detroit could look to free agency to fill the void and potentially go after Wyatt Teller. The 31-year-old Teller announced on Instagram on Wednesday that he won’t be back with the Cleveland Browns in 2026, officially signaling that he’s heading to free agency.
Teller would be a nice addition to the Lions’ o-line this offseason, but given his experience and resume, it might cost the Lions a pretty penny. And that might not be in the cards for the Lions, given they have other pressing needs on that side of the ball.
Lions Might Have to Pass on Wyatt Teller to Address Other Needs in FA
The veteran offensive lineman has spent the last seven seasons with the Browns, where he was named second-team All-Pro twice and has participated in three consecutive Pro Bowls. His last Pro Bowl nod was in 2023, having not earned the honor in the last two seasons.
In 2024, Teller missed four games due to an MCL sprain. Then this past season, the veteran lineman sustained a calf injury, forcing him to be placed on injured reserve. According to Pro Football Focus, Teller was solid in run blocking (65.7 grade), but left much to be desired in pass blocking (53.1 grade).
That said, Teller possibly reuniting with Drew Petzing, who worked in Cleveland between 2020 and 2022, could help sway him to come to Detroit. However, Spotrac’s calculated market value for Teller is a three-year, $30.5 million deal ($10.2 million AAV).
In reality, that’s not a bad deal for a veteran offensive lineman with a couple of All-Pros and Pro Bowls, who has been relatively healthy. Nonetheless, Detroit must weigh whether it's better off spending money on Teller or using those funds to upgrade its defensive line and LB units.
The Lions desperately need pass rush depth, especially if they lose Al-Quadin Muhammad, and could need a new starting LB if Alex Anzalone departs. Both of those positions will cost Detroit a ton of money.
It also doesn’t help that Detroit doesn’t have adequate backups for Anzalone or Muhammad. At least, if they were to create an opening at right guard, the Lions could, in theory, move Miles Frazier there. Or go after a cheap option like James Daniels, Sean Rhyan, or Brady Christensen, the latter of whom has dealt with injuries. Meanwhile, Rhyan can play center, too, which could be appealing to the Lions.
Needless to say, it will be quite interesting to see how the Lions approach the offensive line and free agency, as they’ll need to be intentional and smart with their decisions to get back to the top of the NFC North.