The Lions are adding another offensive line depth piece. They are signing veteran Germain Ifedi, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The Falcons released Ifedi last week.
Despite re-signing with Atlanta earlier this offseason, Ifedi received his walking papers shortly after the draft. The former first-round pick will return to the NFC North, doing so during an offseason in which the Lions already added one of their former starters — Graham Glasgow — to the mix.
While Glasgow is an interior lineman, Ifedi has worked mostly at right tackle during his time as a pro. The Lions have Penei Sewell entrenched at that position. Ifedi, 29 next month, has also seen some time at guard as a pro. He will likely compete for a swing role for the Lions, who return most of their starting offensive line from last season.
Ifedi previously spent two seasons, the 2020 and ’21 campaigns, in the division as a member of the Bears. The seven-year veteran started at both guard and right tackle in Chicago during that span. For his career, the Texas A&M product has made 83 starts. Though, none of those came last season. Ifedi suited up for all 17 Falcons games but did not start any. The team enjoyed good health at tackle in 2022 and re-signed right-sider Kaleb McGary this offseason.
Upon drafting Ifedi 31st overall in 2016, the Seahawks made him a fixture at right tackle during the late 2010s. While Ifedi never emerged as an upper-echelon performer at that position, he has been a starter for four playoff teams (three in Seattle, one in Chicago. Pro Football Focus graded Ifedi as a top-40 tackle during his 2020 season in Chicago, his last as a full-season starter, but has not slotted him inside the top 60 in any other year.
The Lions return Sewell, Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow and Jonah Jackson from their starting O-line. Multiyear sub Evan Brown signed with the Seahawks, but the Lions are hoping to have Halapoulivaati Vaitai back after a lost 2022 season due to injury. Glasgow represents competition for the veteran guard, who agreed to a reduced contract this offseason. Ifedi will offer Detroit a backup option at both tackle and guard.