Lions Release OL Graham Glasgow

Glasgow had been mentioned as a likely cut candidate dating back to January, so today’s news comes as little surprise. He was due to collect a $500K roster bonus next week and then a base salary of $6.5MM next season. Instead of keeping Glasgow in the fold at a cap hit of $8.44MM, the Lions will free up $5.56MM with a release.

“I’m grateful for the seven years I’ve spent as a Detroit Lion,” Glasgow said in part during a statement posted on X in the wake of today’s news. ” 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.”

Attention will now turn to the 32-year-old intentions regarding his playing career. In January, Glasgow was named as a candidate to retire in the event his Lions tenure ended. With that having taken place, it will be interesting to see if he aims to land a new opportunity in free agency or elects to hang up his cleats.

A Lions draftee in 2016, Glasgow handled starting roles at guard and center while playing out his rookie contract. The former third-rounder landed a big-ticket free agent deal with Denver, and he remained there for three seasons. Upon being cut by the Broncos, Glasgow returned to Detroit in 2023. Since then, he has continued to serve as a key presence up front.

Glasgow’s most familiar position has been guard during his career, but he was given center duties in 2025 due to the retirement of Frank Ragnow. Things did not go according to plan, and a regression in terms of the Lions’ level of play along the interior of the offensive line was a key factor in their inability to reach the playoffs. Bringing in upgrades this spring will be a major priority.

Efforts on that front have already begun, with the Lions acquiring Juice Scruggs from the Texans in the David Montgomery trade worked out this morning. Scruggs has experience at both center and guard, and it will be interesting to see how the pending 2026 free agent fits into Detroit’s plans for next year. Tate Ratledge, meanwhile, could take over center duties during his second NFL season after operating at guard as a rookie.