Lions' Offensive Depth Dinged Twice Over Weekend

As the preseason for the NFL looms, the fact remains that teams are trying to figure out who fills spots on their depth chart. While training camps start with 90 plays, the roster size cuts down to 53 by the time preseason comes to an end. Only 48 of those are active on any given gameday in the regular season.

The hope is that teams don’t have to make major changes to their starting lineup or with any luck, their key backups. However, we know that, as Roddy Piper used to say “Just when you think you have all the answers, I change the questions.”

That particular quote rang true Monday for the Detroit Lions, who had to pivot not once, but twice, in a short time span.

Mays Out For An Extended Period

Detroit had issues at center last season after former All-Pro center Frank Ragnow retired in June 2025. Graham Glasgow filled in at center after playing at guard for the majority of his career. Ragnow attempted to come back in November only to fail a physical, leaving him on the sideline. It also left the Lions scrambling for a replacement as Glasgow clearly is better at the guard spot.

Detroit signed Cade Mays as a free agent from Carolina, inking him to a three-year, $25 million deal with $14 million guaranteed. He projected to take over the starting center role but a freak injury put him on the shelf. Mays sustained a wrist injury in practice and projects to miss at least eight to 10 weeks. That could potentially keep him out until close to midseason. Perhaps more concerning is that it puts the Lions in an awkward situation for the short term.

As it stands, Juice Scruggs, who was acquired in a trade with Houston in the offseason, is in the mix to fill in at center. Seth McLaughlin and Michael Niese may get a crack at the spot as well. No matter how you slice it, the Mays injury is a big blow for the Lions. Having a new center that was acclimating to the system is tough enough. Adding a second person that isn’t accustomed to snapping the ball is tougher.

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Teddy Bridgewater Hangs Them Up…Again

Perhaps overlooked because of the Mays situation, the Lions had to pivot at the backup quarterback spot as well. Teddy Bridgewater, who rejoined the team for a second stint after spending last year with Tampa Bay, decided to step away from the team. The expectation is that he is retiring for the second time. He previously retired after the 2023 campaign but came back to the Lions again in 2024.

This could well be the end of the line for Bridgewater, who was a first-round pick by the Vikings back in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was selected 32nd overall out of Louisville. Over the course of his career, he spent time in Minnesota, New Orleans, Carolina, Denver, Miami, Detroit and Tampa Bay. He posted a 33-32 mark as a starter, throwing for 15,172 yards with 75 touchdowns and 47 interceptions. With Hendon Hooker cut loose last season, the team had a void at backup quarterback with Bridgewater’s departure. The only other quarterback on the roster was rookie Luke Altmyer.

The Lions didn’t waste time getting a veteran presence to back up Jared Goff. Detroit inked Joshua Dobbs to a one-year deal, giving them a guy that has experience at the NFL level as their #2. Dobbs has 3,346 yards with 17 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions in his career. He has suited up for Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Arizona, Minnesota, San Francisco and most recently, New England in his career. Dobbs has appeared in 27 NFL games, starting 15 in his career. While Goff hasn’t missed a game since 2021, the fact remains that having a guy that can step in is necessary should the unexpected occur.

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