The Detroit Lions’ offensive line figures to be a huge part of the team’s offseason plans. The unit took a significant step back in 2025, and the team faces some pivotal decisions this offseason.
During their individual press conferences at the NFL Combine on Tuesday, both general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell addressed the offensive line extensively. Here’s a recap of their biggest points on the offensive line.
Lions plan on adding tackle depth, regardless of Taylor Decker’s retirement decision
As pointed out in this earlier article, Holmes noted that they are seeking clarity on Decker’s retirement prior to the start of the new league year. But perhaps the even more notable point came from Campbell, who said that the team needs to address tackle this offseason regardless of whether Decker opts to return or not.
“Look, if it’s not (possible Decker returns), then we‘ve got to find a guy. But even if (he returns), we’ve still got to find a guy. Because, as much as I love Deck, he’s got some things that are going to need some management, and that’s kind of where we’re at. So, one way or another, we’re going to need somebody who can play over there (left tackle). If we need them in a crunch, or if we need them as a starter.”
Tate Ratledge at center is still on the table
When we last talked to Holmes, he said that going into his second season, Ratledge could certainly move to center. This week at the NFL Combine, Holmes essentially said the exact same thing.
“I think that’s still a real option,” Holmes said. “Look, when we tried him out there early in camp, he wasn’t doing anything wrong that we had to move him back. We just felt like where he was, at that stage of his career, being a rookie, we felt right guard was just going to be a little bit more of an easier acclimation for him. And then Graham (Glasgow)’s previous experience playing the position, center, in our offense, was a little bit easier for him, as well. So at that stage, we felt like that was the right thing. But there’s still promise for Tate to move in that position. But I think that’s the beauty of it, is that that’s flexibility that we have, so whether we add guard, center, whatever, I think Tate will always be in that conversation.”
On Graham Glasgow’s future
Graham Glasgow is the Lions’ most likely candidate to become a cap casualty, with the Lions potentially freeing up over $5.5 million in cap space if they part ways with the 33-year-old offensive lineman.
Holmes didn’t give a direct answer on Glasgow’s future, which could also include retirement, but—like with Decker—they’re hoping for clarity by the start of the league year.
“He’s still under contract. Again, the start of the league year is a real date, so you want to have as much clarity as possible before then, so hopefully we get as much clarity as we can before then on Graham,” Holmes said.
When pressed on whether the Lions would keep Glasgow if he opts not to retire in 2026, Holmes did not commit one way or the other.
“Those are still dialogues that we just gotta have in the future,” Holmes said.
Center: free agency or the draft?
Holmes reiterated again that the Lions are going to focus on the offensive line this offseason, including center.
“Not just center but offensive line, really both sides of the ball, really — that’s something that’s not gonna be ignored,” Holmes said. “Whether that’s through free agency, through the draft, we’ll definitely look at it.”
There’s a debate on how the Lions will address center, whether it’s Ratledge, Glasgow, a free agent, or the draft. Holmes said they will look at all options. When asked if it was risky to wait until the draft to find a center, Holmes said it was too early to suggest that this year’s class isn’t good enough. However, he did note that the experience of a veteran free agent could be preferable to that of a potential rookie.
“It’s a very important position, you’ve got to handle a lot of information, and so, there’s some rookies that have been able to handle it, but you just gotta find the right one,” Holmes said. “And whether that’s Day 1 or Day 2 or Day 3, if you find the right one, it can, but obviously, the really kind of obvious way is a player that’s already done it already, give you a little bit more comfort.”
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