ALLEN PARK, Michigan — After hosting him on a recent free-agent visit, the Detroit Lions have signed veteran offensive guard Ben Bartch.
The
alum’s addition immediately improves the interior offensive line competition and throws another potential name to watch come training camp, according to the Lions. Detroit head coach Dan Campbell talked about wanting to add more competition to his roster, and this increases the potential battle for the left guard spot.
San Francisco 49ers offensive guard Ben Bartch.
Contributed / San Francisco 49ers
Christian Mahogany entered last season as the starter despite making only two starts as a sixth-round rookie. Mahogany struggled before and after his leg injury last season, with some noticeable struggles in pass protection. As its stands, Mahogany, Bartch and Miles Frazier could be the top options at left guard, with last year’s starter in the pole position.
Bartch, who is 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, spent the last three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers in a depth rotational role. Before that, he spent four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars after they spent a fourth-round pick on him in 2020. Bartch has started double-digit games only once in his six-year career, and that was in 2021 when he had 11 at right guard.
He’s played 794 snaps at right guard and another 912 at left guard across his career. During the 2021 season, he allowed three sacks and 24 pressures across 460 pass-blocking reps. He’s been a solid situational run blocker in recent years and hasn’t allowed a sack since 2023.
Bartch made his name at the Division III level with the Johnnies. When making the switch from tight end to offensive line in college, Bartch earned his nickname of the “Smoothie King” for his weight-gaining methods. He would mix seven scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, quick grits, peanut butter, bananas and Gatorade, plug his nose and chug it down. He went from 250 pounds to eventually 305 pounds, and six NFL seasons later, it’s a success.
The 27-year-old has battled through injuries throughout his career, losing a chunk of his rookie season to the reserve/COVID-19 list. He suffered a dislocated knee in 2022, then had a high ankle and foot sprain interrupt his time in San Francisco.
During their offensive line makeover, the Lions have released veterans Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow. They have signed starting center Cade Mays, allowing Tate Ratledge to stick at right guard, and added quality depth in tackle Larry Borom, Juice Scruggs and now Bartch.