The Lions already have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. They just made it better.
Graham Glasgow is coming back to Detroit on a one-year, $4.5 million deal, according to ESPN. The proven vet should slide into the starting guard spot vacated last season by the injured Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who becomes a potential cut candidate.
So, from left to right: Taylor Decker-Jonah Jackson-Frank Ragnow-Graham Glasgow-Penei Sewell. That'll play.
Glasgow, 30, was strong and steady during his first stint in Detroit. He started 58 games between guard and center for the Lions from 2016-19 and wanted to stick around when he hit free agency in 2020. He only departed, on a four-year, $44 million deal to Denver, because the prior regime next expressed any interest in re-signing him.
Now he's back, and with the Lions on the rise.
Meanwhile, Vaitai might be on the way out. He was the offensive lineman the Lions signed after parting ways with Glasgow, cashing in with a five-year, $45 million deal despite having played sparingly for the Eagles. He's yet to live up to his contract and missed all of last season due to back surgery.
The Lions could keep Vaitai around for another year if he's healthy enough to play, but they would also save $6.5 million in cap space this season and $9.5 million next season by releasing him.
Glasgow was released by the Broncos earlier this week, a move that saved Denver $11 million in cap space. He played in all 17 games for the team last season, the last 10 of those at center.