Former Tennessee Vols OL Cade Mays lands with new NFL team on a big free agent contract

Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Tennessee Vols OL Cade Mays lands with new NFL team on a big free agent contract

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 4:22 PM ET

Former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays is getting PAID.

Mays, a sixth round selection by the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 NFL Draft, is reportedly signing with the Detroit Lions.

The deal, which can become official later this week, is reportedly worth $25 million over three years. That makes Mays one of the top 10 highest paid centers in the NFL.

The Detroit #Lions have found their man, reaching an agreement on a three-year, $25 million deal with free-agent center Cade Mays, a league source told The Detroit News on Monday.https://t.co/l3uXXf7bsJ
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) March 9, 2026

Mays, who started his college career with the Georgia Bulldogs before transferring to Tennessee (where he played with his younger brother, Cooper), started in seven games over his first two seasons in the NFL. Mays was then released by the Panthers ahead of the 2024 season. He was briefly signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad before returning to Carolina in the middle of the 2024 season.

The former Vol ended up starting eight games for the Panthers in 2024. Mays started 12 games at center for Carolina in 2025.

Carolina would've liked to have had Mays back in Charlotte, but once the negotiating window opened and he was unsigned, it was unlikely that the Panthers would be able to re-sign the Knoxville native.

Mays played at Tennessee from 2020 to 2021.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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