The Detroit Lions lost former Pro Bowl left lineman Jonah Jackson to NFL free agency. However, they re-signed veteran guard Graham Glasgow, who refuses to accept Jackson’s departure as the reason the Lions’ offensive line isn’t strong in 2024.
Glasgow told reporters on March 13 that, no matter how excellent Jackson is, the Lions’ offensive line can improve next season.
“I think we can still be really, really good,” Glasgow remarked. “I think Jonah is a terrific player. He’s quite talented. He’s a competent guard.
“At the end of the day, it all comes down to this: we’re going to work. We’re going to go after it, and I mean, we’ll figure it out.
Without Jackson, Detroit’s inside alternatives for starting left guard are former undrafted free agent Kayode Awosika and 2023 fifth-round pick Colby Sorsdal. Jackson left to accept a three-year contract for $51 million with the Los Angeles Rams.
Glasgow, who is expected to start at right guard, returned to Detroit for a three-year, $20 million contract.
‘Everything worked out,’ as Graham Glasgow ‘wanted’
In an ideal situation, Glasgow would want to have his guard buddy return for the 2024 season. However, from an individual standpoint, Glasgow’s last 13 months could not have been more successful.
Last offseason, he returned to Detroit on a one-year, $2.75 million contract. Glasgow was supposed to be a reserve interior offensive lineman, but he started 15 games due to injuries. He mainly played right guard but started at all three interior offensive line positions.
Glasgow took advantage of his opportunity and received a substantial wage boost. The veteran guard’s average annual income tripled under his new contract.
“You guys called it a prove-it deal, and it was,” Glasgow said of his 2023 one-year agreement. “I stated I demonstrated it here before, and I’d like to prove it again. So that’s what I did.”
Glasgow’s return to the Lions, however, was not solely about money.
“I feel like there’s still a lot to prove, and I feel like me, myself and us as an offense, can get so much better,” he added. “And we as a squad can improve so much. That’s a huge reason I wanted to come back because I believe the chances of us being an even better team than last year are very good.”
Glasgow told the media that he had interest from other teams and could have used their possible offers as leverage against the Lions. Instead, he prioritized closing the transaction with the Lions swiftly.
“I didn’t really want to really wait and use other teams’ offers to maybe go back and try to get more money,” Glasgow added. “I simply wanted to finish it and be done.
“Everything was perfect.” Everything turned out just the way I intended.”
The Lions selected Glasgow in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He started 58 games for Detroit over his first four seasons.
Glasgow then signed the Denver Broncos in free agency in 2020. After making 33 starts in three seasons with the Broncos, he returned to Detroit past summer.
Glasgow Highlights Lions’ Internal Left Guard Options.
Although it does not include the most recent contract for defensive tackle D.J. Reader, Spotrac estimated on March 15 that the Lions have approximately $30.5 million in salary room left. That should leave enough room for Detroit to pursue a left guard with starting experience.
However, the Lions already have two intriguing alternatives on their roster: Awosika and Sorsdal. Glasgow spoke to the media about both players on March 13.
“I think Yode [Awosika] is quite solid. “When you watch him play, I don’t think he’s lacking in any area,” Glasgow said. “I believe that is a fantastic characteristic to have in terms of offensive line performance.
“Colby was a rookie. He came a long way and developed quite far. I’ve been watching him improve his technique and how he processes the game over the last year since coming from William & Mary. It was a terrific year for Colby, and I believe there is much to learn and grow on.”
Last season, the Lions, like Glasgow, had to insert Awosika and Sorsdal due to injury. Each started three competitions. Awosika also made two starts for the Lions in 2022.
Awosika began his career as an undrafted rookie for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021. Detroit signed him early in the 2022 season.
Last year, the Lions drafted Sorsdal at No. 152 overall.
