It’s a new era in Detroit, and the offensive line is at the heart of the transformation. On March 9, 2026, the Detroit Lions made a splash in NFL free agency by signing veteran offensive lineman Larry Borom—a move that signals the team’s commitment to rebuilding their trenches and returning to NFC contention. Borom, a Detroit native and former standout at Birmingham Brother Rice, is coming home after stints with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, and fans can feel the buzz around Ford Field as the hometown kid suits up in Honolulu blue.
The Lions’ pursuit of offensive line reinforcements was no secret heading into free agency. After all, the team had released longtime left tackle Taylor Decker and interior mainstay Graham Glasgow, creating glaring holes in a unit that once powered Detroit to a 15-2 record and the NFC’s top seed in 2024. Last season, however, the Lions stumbled to a 9-8 finish, landing at the bottom of a loaded NFC North and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The message from the front office was clear: it was time to shake things up.
Larry Borom’s arrival is one of several moves aimed at restoring the offensive line to its former glory. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Borom’s signing was a “priority” for the Lions on the opening day of free agency. And with good reason—Borom brings versatility, experience, and a local connection that’s hard to beat. Over his five NFL seasons, Borom has appeared in 63 games with 38 starts, spending his first four years with the Bears before joining the Dolphins on a one-year, $2.5 million deal in 2025. Last year in Miami, he started 11 games at right tackle, allowing just two sacks and 15 pressures in 404 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. His overall offensive grade stood at 60.7, with a solid 67.1 in pass protection—a testament to his improving technique and punch timing.
But Borom’s value isn’t just in the numbers. He’s logged significant NFL snaps at four of the five offensive line positions: right tackle (1,709 career snaps), left tackle (788), left guard (42), and right guard (20). That kind of flexibility is gold for head coach Dan Campbell, who emphasized earlier this offseason, “One way or another, we’re going to need somebody that can play over there, and that can help us if we need them in a crunch or we need them as a starter. That’s important.” Borom’s ability to fill in at either tackle or guard gives Detroit plenty of options as they reconfigure their front five.
The Lions’ offensive line overhaul didn’t stop with Borom. On the same day, Detroit agreed to a three-year, $25 million deal with center Cade Mays, formerly of the Carolina Panthers. Mays, who will receive $14 million in guaranteed money, is expected to step in as the starting center and replace the recently released Glasgow. The team also added Juice Scruggs, another interior lineman, in a trade that sent running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. With young guards Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany in the mix, the competition for starting spots is sure to heat up during training camp.
The release of Taylor Decker, who reportedly asked for his release after being asked to cut his salary, left the Lions with a massive void at left tackle. Borom’s signing provides immediate depth, but it also opens the door for All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to potentially slide over to the left side—a move that’s been widely speculated by analysts and insiders alike. If Sewell does make the switch, Borom could step in as the starting right tackle, a position where he started 11 games last season for Miami. Alternatively, Borom could serve as Detroit’s swing tackle, ready to fill in wherever needed as injuries and matchups dictate.
General manager Brad Holmes has made it clear that the offensive line will remain a focus as the offseason progresses. The Lions hold the 17th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and with a deep class of offensive linemen, Detroit could target top prospects like Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane, Utah’s Spencer Fano, or Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor to further solidify the unit. Alternatively, the team could pivot to the defensive side of the ball, where edge rushers like Auburn’s Keldric Faulk or Miami’s Akheem Mesidor could help address a defense that remains a work in progress.
Borom’s journey back to Detroit is a full-circle moment. After starring at Birmingham Brother Rice and earning first-team All-North honors from the Free Press in 2016, he went on to play collegiately at Missouri, starting 16 games at tackle and three at guard from 2017 to 2020. Drafted by the Bears in the fifth round in 2021 (151st overall), Borom overcame an early-career ankle injury and established himself as a reliable, if not flashy, presence along the line. His Instagram post on March 9, 2026—“Back at the crib”—captured the excitement of returning home and the pride of representing his city on the NFL stage.
While Borom’s addition is a significant step, the Lions’ offensive line remains a work in progress. The team lost reserve tackle Dan Skipper to retirement, and the development of young lineman Giovanni Manu is still uncertain. Detroit’s front office has signaled that they may not be done adding talent, either in free agency or the draft. As one local analyst put it, Borom is a “bargain bin” option at tackle, bringing a sturdy build and powerful upper body to the trenches. His drive blocking is a strength, but there’s still room to refine his control and consistency—areas where the Lions’ coaching staff will look to make an impact.
Off the field, the Lions have seen their share of changes as well. Offensive coordinator John Morton was let go after just one season, replaced by former Arizona Cardinals coordinator Drew Petzing. On defense, Detroit lost starters Alex Anzalone and Amik Robertson to free agency, adding even more urgency to the team’s draft strategy. The front office, led by Brad Holmes, is tasked with navigating these transitions and assembling a roster capable of competing in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions.
The legal tampering period for NFL free agency opened at noon on March 9, but contracts like Borom’s and Mays’s can’t be made official until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. on March 11. For now, Detroit fans are left to speculate about how the pieces will fit together—and whether this latest round of moves will be enough to propel the Lions back to the top of the NFC North.
As the dust settles on a whirlwind opening to free agency, one thing is certain: the Detroit Lions are intent on building a tougher, more resilient offensive line, and Larry Borom’s homecoming is just the beginning. With more moves likely on the horizon, the offseason drama in Detroit is far from over.