2026 NFL free agency preview: From pie in the sky to sensible, interior o-line market offers choices for Lions
The NFL’s negotiating window for pending free agents opens on March 9, and players will be eligible to sign with new teams on March 11 at 4 p.m.
Ahead of those dates, we’ll preview each position, looking at the top options expected to hit the market, the Detroit Lions’ pending free agents, plus three outside players who could be fits.
Today, we’ll be looking at the interior offensive linemen.
Quick overview
The interior of Detroit’s offensive line was overhauled last season, with two young, inexperienced guards being injected into the starting lineup and Graham Glasgow moving to center to backfill Frank Ragnow’s retirement.
The center spot remains a focus this offseason with Glasgow a potential cap casualty. There’s been continued talk of shifting Tate Ratledge over after a solid rookie year, but the Lions will wait to see if free agency or the draft provide a better answer, allowing Ratledge to stick at right guard, where he shows plenty of promise.
Left guard Christian Mahogany, a late-round pick in 2024, battled inconsistency in his first season as a starter. Detroit will likely look for depth capable of pushing for starting snaps if he fails to take a developmental jump in his third season.
Top players available
Tyler Linderbaum
A former first-round pick, four-year starter and three-time Pro Bowler for the Baltimore Ravens, the expectation is Linderbaum will field offers that could make him the NFL’s highest-paid center.
Isaac Seumalo
A Super Bowl champion with the Eagles and Pro Bowler with the Steelers, the 32-year-old Seumalo has started 104 games during his 10-year career. There is a noteworthy injury history, including seven missed games the past two seasons due to pec and triceps issues.
Most of Seumalo’s playing time has come at left guard, including every snap he’s taken for the Steelers the past three seasons, but he did start the 2022 campaign at right guard for the Eagles.