The Detroit Lions have re-signed offensive guard Kayode Awosika.
The Detroit Lions have announced that they have re-signed veteran interior offensive lineman Kayode Awosika to an undisclosed contract. Awosika was scheduled to be a restricted free agent, but the Lions elected to forego that option and instead signed him to a new contract.
After spending his rookie season with the Eagles, Awosika joined Philadelphia’s practice squad in his second year as a pro but the Lions poached him for their active roster early in the 2022 season. Awosika would go on to play in 10 games that season, including contributing in four and starting two games on offense. In 2023, Awosika earned an OG3 role and was the primary backup at both left and right guard. He contributed in 18 games (including the playoffs), and saw action on offense in seven games, starting four, including in the NFC Conference Championship, replacing Jonah Jackson.
In 2024, Awosika exited training camp as the Lions’ top reserve guard and was active for the first 10 games of Detroit’s season, starting games in Week 4 at left guard and Week 7 at right guard. Unfortunately for Awosika, he was passed on the depth chart by rookie Christian Mahogany (who returned from an illness mid-season), and by Week 12, the veteran was a weekly inactive on game days. He was active in Week 16 and the divisional round of the playoffs, due to injuries, but only contributed on special teams.
With Awosika back in the competition in 2025, the Lions have retained all their interior offensive lineman from 2024, except for starting right guard Kevin Zeitler. The early favorites for the Lions’ starting guard roles are incumbent left guard Graham Glasgow and Mahogany, though the Lions will surely open the competition up and allow Awosika, Netane Muti, Michael Niese, and Kingsley Eguakun to battle for their spot in the hierarchy.
While the Lions have several players capable of competing for starting and reserve roles, they only have Glasgow, Mahogany, and starting center Frank Ragnow under contract beyond this season. Therefore, look for the Lions to likely add more interior offensive line competition in the draft, potentially as early as the first round. This strategy would not only allow the Lions to increase their competitive edge on the offensive line, but they would also add more security at the position for the future.
Keep up to date on the latest Lions free agency moves with our 2025 Detroit Lions offseason tracker and contract/depth chart tracker.
