VFL Cade Mays Signs Three‑Year, $25 Million Deal with Detroit Lions
Image: John Amis/Associated Press
By Aidan Sidoti
Cade Mays is on the move.
NFL free agency officially opened Monday at noon Eastern, and VFL Cade Mays wasted no time securing a major payday. After spending his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Mays agreed to a three‑year, $25 million contract with the Detroit Lions, helping fill a void created after releasing veteran center Graham Glasgow.
The Knoxville native and former Knoxville Catholic standout began his college journey at Georgia before transferring to Tennessee for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. During his time in Knoxville, he became an anchor of the Vols’ offensive line, earning two SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors and a spot on the 2021 All‑SEC Second Team.
Mays was selected with the famous Tom Brady pick, No. 199 overall, in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Carolina.
Across four seasons with the Panthers, Mays appeared in 52 games, making 27 starts, including 12 starts last year as he settled into a full‑time role at center. His performance in 2025 showed a 62.4 PFF grade, ranking 24th out of 40 qualifying centers, and an impressive 69.4 pass-blocking grade, good for 13th at the position.
With Detroit coming off a certainly disappointing season, Dan Campbell and the Lions looked to reset their offensive line, and Cade Mays is the first domino to fall.
