The Detroit Lions‘ offensive line was slightly above-average last year, dropping from a to-four unit in 2024, and a repeat performance (or worse) is liable to dash Detroit’s hopes of returning to the playoffs before they can even get off the ground.
The Lions’ interior proved the biggest issue, with Pro Football Focus identifying left guard Christian Mahogany and center Graham Glasgow as the “weakest links” in the group. Glasgow is gone, replaced by Cade Mays on a value deal. But Detroit needs to fortify the guard position and replace left tackle Taylor Decker before next season.
Putting the tackle position aside for the time being, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently dubbed former Cleveland Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio as the remaining free agent best-equipped to help the Lions get back into the postseason in 2026.
“Not that long ago, the Detroit Lions fielded arguably the best offensive line in the NFL,” Davenport wrote. “There are a few guards available on the open market, including one with seven Pro Bowls in the last eight years on his professional resumé.”
“In almost 1,100 snaps last year with the Cleveland Browns, the 34-year-old surrendered just two sacks and committed a single penalty according to Pro Football Focus,” Davenport continued. “He’d be a steady veteran addition who would likely welcome the chance to play for a contender again.”
Joel Bitonio Could Return to Cleveland Next Season for 13th Year
GettyFormer Cleveland Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio.
Bitonio turns 35 years old early next season and while his best days may be behind him, he remains a high-level player with potentially elite upside.
A likely Hall of Famer after his retirement, Bitonio finished as PFF’s 23rd-ranked interior offensive lineman out of 81 players who saw enough snaps to qualify at the position in 2025.
He played on a one-year $15 million contract, and Spotrac projects Bitonio’s next stop can sign him for just under $13 million in 2026. His new team could be the same as his old team, however, a possibility Browns general manager Andrew Berry addressed Monday, March 30 from the annual league meetings in Phoenix.
“Joel’s going to take the time that he needs to make the decision for the next step in his career, and like, he should, right? It’s a pretty big life decision for him,” Berry said. “I don’t think that we can operate under the assumption that he’s absolutely coming back because he hasn’t said that in any space.”
Cleveland ultimately released Bitonio at the start of the league year in March after the two sides failed to come to an agreement on an extension. However, he has not announced his retirement yet, either.
Lions Liable to Look at Left Tackle in First Round of NFL Draft
GettyFormer Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker.
Detroit also released a longtime starter this offseason in Decker, and ESPN’s Ben Solak predicted last week that the Lions will hunt his replacement in the opening round of the draft.
“Larry Borom is a good swing backup, but the Lions don’t want to live in a world where he starts 17 games on Jared Goff’s blind side,” Solak wrote March 24. “With the 17th pick, the Lions are squarely in contention for a franchise left tackle, and I’d put a lot of theoretical chips on that being their first-round target. GM Brad Holmes also said Borom could play right tackle, with Penei Sewell moving to the left side, so there’s that option, too.”