2024 Detroit Lions free agency profile: Why the Lions should bring back Graham Glasgow.

We begin our Detroit Lions free-agent profile series for the 2023-2024 season with a fan favorite, offensive lineman Graham Glasgow. Glasgow returns to the Lions in 2023 after being released by the Denver Broncos following the 2022 season. The offensive line is the most crucial position group for this front office and coaching staff, and after such a great year, they may not want to change things up.

Let’s take a closer look at the case for resigning Glasgow.

Check out our previously written free agency profiles for WR Josh Reynolds, G Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and EDGE Romeo Okwara.

Graham Glasgow: Expectations for 2023
Glasgow was brought in to compete for the starting right guard position on the offensive line. The Lions had experienced guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai returning from a back injury, and the coaching staff wanted a reliable backup plan in case Vaitai was unable to play. Glasgow was also given a one-year deal, which means that if things don’t work out in 2023, the team can move on to someone else.

Glasgow was thrilled to be back in Detroit and the state of Michigan, where he attended college and played with his friends, left tackle Taylor Decker and center Frank Ragnow. He wanted to try again and compete for a starting position to contribute to the team’s success.

Actual role in 2023.
Note: PFF grades combine regular season and playoffs and reflect at least 20% of snaps at that position.

Regular season: 17 games (15 starts) with 39 pressures, 30 hurries, seven quarterback hits, five penalties, and two sacks allowed.

PFF Offensive grade: 75.1 (8th among 62 guards with at least 1187 snaps).
PFF run blocking grade: 82.1 (5th out of 62).
PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 56.2 (55th out of 62).

Postseason – Three games (3 starts): Seven pressures, five hurries, one quarterback hit, and one sack allowed.

PFF Offensive grade: 68.1 (10th among 31 guards with at least 209 snaps).
PFF Run Blocking grade: 71.5 (8th out of 31).
PFF pass blocking grade: 51.1 (22nd out of 31)

During training camp, when Ragnow was recovering from a toe ailment and taking days off, Glasgow would shift to center. This did not allow him enough time at right guard to compete with Vaitai, and the coaching staff began the season with Vaitai as the starter. Glasgow wasn’t pleased with how training camp went for him, but he accepted the backup position to begin the season.

Vaitai’s backup status did not last long, as he suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss back-to-back games early in the season. While Vaitai returned in Week 5, he remained on special teams until Week 7, when he started over Glasgow. Vaitai suffered a back injury in that game, and Glasgow took over as starter for the remainder of the season and prospered.

Why Detroit must resign. Glasgow
Glasgow had one of his best seasons yet. The Lions’ attack relies on a solid offensive line to be as effective as it is. They have the center and both tackle positions sorted out, but both guard positions are currently occupied by guys with expiring contracts. Glasgow is an easier decision to make than left guard Jonah Jackson, both monetarily and in terms of fit on the squad.

To maintain offensive line harmony, the Lions must have Glasgow on the roster. If the Lions are unable to retain Glasgow, they will have to look to the draft or free agency to find a replacement, which can be effective, but an offensive line is stronger when there is chemistry and continuity. He was also a fan favorite for the Lions’ re-signing in 2024.

Glasgow is growing older. He’ll be 32 in 2024, so it’ll be interesting to see what kind of contract he wants. He enjoys playing with his pals, and if he was prepared to accept less money in 2023 to play in Detroit, he appears to be willing to do the same this year. However, he made it obvious that he believes his level of play deserves a raise, and this could be one of his last chances to make a solid payout in the NFL.

“I believe I had a very good year, possibly the best of my career. “I’d like to make more money than I did this year, and I’d assume the guys up there know and understand that,” Glasgow added. “I think stuff like this works. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to work it out.”

His deal was worth $4.5 million last season, and a significant raise may not be required to maintain him. I could see him signing another one-year contract for roughly $6 million, but I’d prefer a two-year contract for $11-13 million to assure Detroit doesn’t have to deal with this situation again in 2025.

Is there interest on both sides?
Yes, both parties appear to be on the same page moving into free agency. Glasgow wants to return to Detroit, and the front office wants him back too.

“They said, ‘We’d like to have you back and we appreciate what you did this year,'” Glasgow told reporters. “That is cool. I appreciate it. But they even mentioned it: “From now on, it will just be us talking with your agent and seeing what we can do.”

It appears like both parties desire to finalize the transaction. It’s refreshing to see such transparency in this franchise, since not only the coaches but also the players are open about how they feel about the squad.

What do you believe the Lions should do with Graham Glasgow?