Graham Glasgow wanted a raise to stay with the Lions, and he got one.
The Lions are re-signing the veteran guard to a three-year, $20 million deal that includes $9.5 million guaranteed, according to ESPN. Glasgow made 15 starts for Detroit last season, plus three more in the playoffs, after taking over for injured guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai and providing stability and versatility on the interior of the offensive line. He made two of his starts at center when Frank Ragnow was injured.
Glasgow, who turns 32 this summer, reunited with the Lions last offseason on a one-year, $2.75 million deal after being cut by the Broncos. He turned into a key cog on one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, ranking sixth overall and fourth in run-blocking among guards who played at least 50 percent of their team's snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Glasgow's consistency helped power a rushing attack that ranked fifth in the NFL.
"I would love to be back," Glasgow told reporters after the season. "I think I had a really good year, probably top one or two of my career. I would like to make more money than I did this year and I would assume the guys upstairs know and understand that. I feel like stuff like this kind of works. Hopefully, we'll be able to work through it."
Glasgow will make $6.67 million per year on his new deal, which would have ranked just outside the 25 highest-paid guards last season -- when Glasgow ranked 43rd. It's a well-earned raise, but not an exorbitant one. Whether the Lions also pay fellow free agent guard Jonah Jackson, who will command a salary likely double Glasgow's on the open market, remains to be seen.
But re-signing Glasgow is an important step in keeping the strength of the Lions' roster intact.
"I can’t really say enough about Graham as a player," Ragnow said at the end of last season. "One thing I don’t think people realize is his football IQ is up there with anyone I’ve ever played with. And for me being the center, to have someone like that right next to me has been a huge blessing. He sees things, he understands things, he sees the big picture and obviously he’s talented as a player, too.
"So he’s been a huge, huge addition for us. And he’s just a great, hilarious guy, great for camaraderie too, right?"
Ragnow and the rest of the roster will be happy to have Glasgow back.