Graham Glasgow will not remain in place with the Lions for 2026. The veteran offensive lineman was released on Monday, per a team announcement. 
Glasgow had been mentioned as a likely cut candidate dating back to January, so today’s news comes as little surprise. He was due to collect a $500K roster bonus next week and then a base salary of $6.5MM next season. Instead of keeping Glasgow in the fold at a cap hit of $8.44MM, the Lions will free up $5.56MM with a release.
“I’m grateful for the seven years I’ve spent as a Detroit Lion,” Glasgow said in part during a statement posted on X in the wake of today’s news. “I’m thankful for the great teammates, coaches, and friends I had along the way. I love this city and the fans that have supported me for the better part of a decade. There truly was no place I would have rather been.”
Attention will now turn to the 32-year-old intentions regarding his playing career. In January, Glasgow was named as a candidate to retire in the event his Lions tenure ended. With that having taken place, it will be interesting to see if he aims to land a new opportunity in free agency or elects to hang up his cleats.
A Lions draftee in 2016, Glasgow handled starting roles at guard and center while playing out his rookie contract. The former third-rounder landed a big-ticket free agent deal with Denver, and he remained there for three seasons. Upon being cut by the Broncos, Glasgow returned to Detroit in 2023. Since then, he has continued to serve as a key presence up front.
Glasgow’s most familiar position has been guard during his career, but he was given center duties in 2025 due to the retirement of Frank Ragnow. Things did not go according to plan, and a regression in terms of the Lions’ level of play along the interior of the offensive line was a key factor in their inability to reach the playoffs. Bringing in upgrades this spring will be a major priority.
Efforts on that front have already begun, with the Lions acquiring Juice Scruggs from the Texans in the David Montgomery trade worked out this morning. Scruggs has experience at both center and guard, and it will be interesting to see how the pending 2026 free agent fits into Detroit’s plans for next year. Tate Ratledge, meanwhile, could take over center duties during his second NFL season after operating at guard as a rookie.
Might be a good backup for the Bengals if he still wants to play.
I’d say that Glasgow could start, even at his age, given Cincy’s offensive line issues. Glasgow was once a great guard, but I see him as a spot starter if ya team needs him.
Detroit feels like it has to invest in linemen this upcoming offseason. Decker returning gives them a minimal reprieve at LT, but his health issues and retirement considerations make an investment there pretty easy to see, and the interior of the line needed investment before Glasgow’s departure. Ragnow having to retire was a huge loss, and Glasgow moving over out of his natural position was out of sheer necessity. Detroit will certainly need to play its cards right up front to help keep Goff and the offense ticking on the right cylinders.
He would be a fit for the 49ers at left guard