Offensive Lineman Graham Glasgow Released By Detroit Lions

Glasgow was a third-round pick out of Michigan in 2016 — a hometown kid who grew up to anchor one of the better offensive lines in the NFC. He spent his first four seasons in Detroit, playing center and both guard spots with the kind of versatility that makes offensive line coaches sleep soundly at night.

He left for Denver in 2020, spent three years with the Broncos, and then came back to Detroit in 2023. Because when you love a city, you come back. The Lions rewarded that loyalty with a three-year deal after a strong return season. Over seven seasons in a Lions uniform, Glasgow played 110 games and made 103 starts.

The Rough Final Chapter

Glasgow’s last season wasn’t his best. After the stunning retirement of Frank Ragnow in the spring of 2025, Glasgow stepped into the center role he hadn’t played in years. He started 14 games, but the Lions benched him for two weeks late in the season, citing a sore knee.

Here’s where it stings a little: Detroit lost both games without him and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Glasgow came back to start the season-ending win over the Chicago Bears, but the damage was done. The Lions finished on the outside looking in, and an offensive line that was supposed to be a strength had become a question mark.

When asked after the season if he’d play again in 2026, Glasgow offered the kind of answer that tells you everything: “We’ll see.” Turns out, the Lions made that decision for him.

Glasgow’s Impact On the Next Generation

Here’s the detail that really drives home what Glasgow meant to this team. On locker clean-out day, rookie Right Guard Tate Ratledge had Glasgow sign a jersey for him. Ratledge, a second-round pick out of Georgia, called Glasgow the guy who “had the biggest influence” on his rookie season.

“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.” That’s the stuff that doesn’t show up on any stat sheet. Glasgow showed up every day, took meticulous notes, and made the guy next to him better.

What’s Next For Detroit’s Offensive Line?

The Lions didn’t just release Glasgow and call it a day. They’re actively rebuilding the interior of their offensive line, and the center position is priority number one heading into free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft.

Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens and Connor McGovern of the Buffalo Bills are the names generating the most buzz as potential targets. Left tackle Taylor Decker announced he’s returning for another season, giving Detroit some continuity on the blindside.

Ratledge is also in the conversation at center. He spent time there during spring workouts before the Lions moved Glasgow inside, and the coaching staff hasn’t completely ruled out the move. He’s said he’ll play wherever the team needs him.

Detroit also acquired offensive lineman Juice Scruggs from Houston as part of the David Montgomery trade, adding another body to a group that’s clearly undergoing significant reconstruction.

A Farewell to Glasgow: Detroit Made Him the Man He Is

Graham Glasgow wasn’t a Pro Bowler. He wasn’t the highest-paid lineman in the league. But he was reliable, versatile, smart, and fiercely loyal to a city that doesn’t take that kind of commitment for granted.

“Detroit and being a Lion has had a huge impact on making me into the man that I am today,” Glasgow wrote in his farewell, “and because of that, it will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Whether Glasgow decides to suit up for another team in 2026 or walks away from football entirely, he leaves the “Motor City” with his head held high. Seven seasons. 103 starts. One city.