Before Detroit could even begin to think about making a return to the playoffs, the offensive line of the Detroit Lions, which was somewhat above average last year, fell from a top-four group in 2024, and a repeat performance (or worse) could shatter Detroit’s chances of doing so.
The biggest problem was the Lions’ interior, where Pro Football Focus singled out left guard Christian Mahogany and center Graham Glasgow as the “weakest links” in the unit. Cade Mays has taken over in Glasgow as part of a value agreement. However, before the upcoming season, Detroit must strengthen the guard position and find a replacement for Taylor Decker at left tackle.
Former Cleveland Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio is the remaining free agent most capable of helping the Lions return to the playoffs in 2026, as Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently called him, leaving the tackle position out for the time being.
“The Detroit Lions had, by many accounts, the greatest offensive line in the NFL not all that long ago,” Davenport stated. “Among the guards available on the open market is one who has seven Pro Bowls in his professional resumé from the last eight years. “
According to Pro Football Focus, the 34-year-old allowed just two sacks and made one foul in about 1,100 snaps with the Cleveland Browns last year, Davenport said. “He would be a reliable veteran addition who would probably welcome the chance to play for a contender again. “
For his thirteenth season, Joel Bitonio might be back in Cleveland the following year.
Although Bitonio may have passed his prime, he is still a top-notch player with the possibility of reaching the highest level of excellence. He will be 35 years old at the beginning of the upcoming campaign.
Following his retirement, Bitonio is a strong contender for the Hall of Fame. In 2025, he was ranked No. 23 out of the 81 interior offensive linemen that played enough snaps to be considered for the position by PFF.
Bitonio’s next stop is projected by Spotrac to be able to sign him for a little under $13 million in 2026; he played on a $15 million, one-year contract. But from the annual league meetings in Phoenix on Monday, March 30, Browns general manager Andrew Berry discussed the possibility that his new team could be the same as his old one.
“Joel will take the time he needs to consider the next step in his career, and he should, right? ” For him, it’s a really significant choice in life,” Berry said. “He hasn’t said that in any room, therefore I don’t believe we can proceed on the idea that he’s going to return for sure. ”
After the two parties were unable to reach an extension agreement, Cleveland ultimately freed Bitonio in March at the beginning of the league year. But neither has he declared his retirement as of yet.
In the first round of the NFL Draft, the Lions are likely to glance at the left tackle.
Decker, a long-time starter, was also let go by Detroit during the offseason, and Ben Solak of ESPN predicted last week that the Lions will be seeking for his replacement in the first round of the draught.
Solak wrote on March 24, “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. ” “The Lions are squarely in contention for a franchise left tackle with the 17th pick, and I’d put a lot of theoretical chips on that being their first-round target. There is also the option of Borom playing right tackle and Penei Sewell shifting to the left side, according to GM Brad Holmes.
