The Detroit Lions have officially turned the page on a significant era in their offensive line history, releasing veteran center Graham Glasgow on March 2, 2026. The move, which came just hours after the high-profile trade of running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, signals a bold new direction for Detroit’s trenches as the team prepares for another offseason of roster overhaul and cap management.
Glasgow, 33, was a mainstay for the Lions over two separate stints, amassing 110 games played and 103 starts in the Motor City. Originally selected in the third round (95th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Michigan, he quickly earned a reputation as a versatile and cerebral lineman, capable of playing both guard positions and center. His diligent note-taking and meticulous preparation became the stuff of locker room legend. “You always take down the notes of the general stuff, and then from there, I have a page of scouting, then the install page, and that’s usually a whole page, too,” Glasgow explained last season. “Then the notes on practices throughout the week, and then the notes on after the game, because you never know when you’re going to play them again, or, in this case (Packers), you will play them again.”
But after a decade in the league—seven of those years spent with the Lions—Glasgow’s future in Detroit had grown increasingly uncertain. The 2025 season proved particularly challenging, as Glasgow was thrust into the center role following the sudden retirement of All-Pro Frank Ragnow. Despite his willingness to adapt, Glasgow and the Lions’ interior offensive line struggled to match previous standards. Pro Football Focus graded Glasgow’s 2025 performance at just 56.8 overall, one of the lowest among starting guards and centers in the NFL. The Lions, who had clinched division titles and made a run to the NFC Championship with Glasgow at right guard in 2023, missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022 after a string of late-season losses, including two games Glasgow missed due to a sore knee.
Glasgow’s release frees up approximately $5.5 to $5.6 million in salary cap space for Detroit, a crucial step as the team works to become cap compliant before the new league year begins on March 11. Prior to Monday’s moves, the Lions were roughly $12.2 million over the cap. General manager Brad Holmes had been candid about the need for clarity on Glasgow’s future, especially with rumors swirling about the veteran’s potential retirement. “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 stated at the NFL Scouting Combine. When pressed about Glasgow’s status if he chose to keep playing, Holmes added, “Those are still dialogues that we just gotta have in the future.”
Glasgow’s own comments following Detroit’s season-ending win over the Chicago Bears in 2025 hinted at his uncertainty. “We’ll see. I mean, I’m still under contract next year so unless that changes I’m a Detroit Lion,” he said. “But yeah, I guess, I don’t know.” That ambiguity was finally resolved on Monday, as the team announced his release and began charting a new course for the offensive line.
In a heartfelt message posted to social media, Glasgow reflected on his journey with the Lions: “I’m grateful for the 7 years I’ve spent as a Detroit Lion. I’m thankful for the great teammates, coaches, and friends I had along the way. I love this city and the fans that have supported me for the better part of a decade. There truly was no place I would have rather been. Whether the times were good or bad, I’m proud of the time that I was able to spend here. Detroit and being a Lion has had a huge impact on making me into the man that I am today, and because of that, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I wish the Lions, especially my former teammates, nothing but the best. I will always be a fan of the guys who I took the field with, and I’ll always be a fan of the team that changed my life. Thank you!”
Glasgow’s impact extended beyond his play on the field. He was beloved by fans for his dry humor and memorable game-day costumes, especially around Halloween. Younger teammates, like right guard Tate Ratledge, credited Glasgow for his mentorship. “Anytime I was struggling that’s the guy that I went to,” Ratledge said. “He kind of took me under his wing so that meant a lot to me.” On locker clean-out day, Ratledge even had Glasgow autograph a jersey, a gesture underscoring the veteran’s influence in the locker room.
The Lions’ decision to move on from Glasgow was influenced in part by their acquisition of offensive lineman Juice Scruggs from the Texans as part of the Montgomery trade. Scruggs, who played center in college and guard for Houston in 2025, is expected to provide depth and competition during training camp. While he isn’t projected as an immediate starter, his availability—having played all 17 games for Houston last year—offers the Lions a measure of reliability as they sort out their long-term plans at center.
Detroit’s offensive line is in the midst of significant transition. Swing tackle Dan Skipper retired in January and has since joined the team as an offensive assistant. Left tackle Taylor Decker, a draftmate of Glasgow’s in 2016, announced his return for the 2026 season, providing some continuity up front. However, the Lions are expected to pursue a veteran center when free agency opens on March 9. Top names on the market include Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens and Connor McGovern of the Buffalo Bills. The team is also considering internal options, with Ratledge—who practiced at center last spring—potentially shifting inside if needed.
The Lions’ front office, led by Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, has made it clear that rebuilding the offensive line is a top offseason priority. With two additional fourth-round draft picks acquired in the Montgomery deal, Detroit has the ammunition to further bolster its depth. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see whether the club will make a splashy signing or continue to develop young talent like Ratledge and Scruggs.
For now, the release of Graham Glasgow marks the end of an era for Detroit’s offensive line. As the city and its fans bid farewell to a player who embodied grit, professionalism, and leadership, the Lions look ahead to a new chapter—one that promises fresh faces and, they hope, a return to playoff form. The Motor City faithful will be watching every move as the 2026 offseason unfolds.