Lions Free Agency 2026 Day 1: Cade Mays & Larry Borom medical review
Analyzing the medical outlook of the Lions initial free agent signings
The free agency official negotiating period started on March 9. (The unofficial negotiating period started weeks, maybe months, earlier.) So now we have news about who is going where in free agency. Technically, none can be signed until March 11 but it’s very unlikely for minds to change between now and then.
Before I get to the Lions additions, let’s wish a fond farewell to these Lions who played very well the past few seasons. Included are their medical concern levels heading into 2026.
Taylor Decker released March 9 - 10/10 (shoulder, age)
Alex Anzalone signed with Buccaneers - 3/10 (concussions, age)
Amik Robertson signed with Commanders - 0/10
Roy Lopez signed with Cardinals - 0/10
Kyle Allen signed with Bills - 0/10
Now, here are the 2 players the Lions picked up on Day 1 of free agency, along with their medical concern levels going forward. Welcome to the party…
Welcome to the party, pal!
-Die Hard
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season.)
Cade Mays, C (27)
Contract: 3-years, $14 million guaranteed, up to $25 million
Concern level 1/10
2025: 15/18 games. Ankle injury, missed 3 games.
2024: 11 games. Preseason shoulder injury, missed about 2 weeks.
2023: 16 games
2022: 11 games
There don’t appear to be any major injury concerns for Mays. He missed 3 games last season with ankle issues but was able to finish out the last 5 games of the season, including the playoffs. He should be fully healthy entering the 2026 season.
As far as his shoulder injury in 2024, the shoulder is a very common body part to get injured for offensive linemen - which you are well aware of if you have been following my NFL draft medical reports. He didn’t miss much time, which hopefully signals something minor and healable that won’t recur.
Mays looks like an excellent, low-risk, cost-effective signing to kick off free agency. The contract value suggests he is expected to be a starter. His addition at center could mean that Tate Ratledge will stick at RG.
Larry Borom, OG/OT (27)
Contract: undisclosed
Concern level 3/10
2025 (Miami): 16/17 games. Illness, missed 1 game.
2024: 8 games. Ankle injury, to IR.
2023: 16 games
2022: 13 games. Ankle & knee, missed 2 games. Concussion, missed 1-2 games.
2021: 10 games. High ankle sprain, to IR.
This Detroit native has had multiple ankle injuries in his career. This could be simply due to bad luck as offensive linemen are always at risk of getting rolled up on. Somewhat concerning is that 2 of the ankle injuries required visits to the IR (not to be confused with visits to the ER which would be worse).
His 2025 season was orthopedically healthy which is a very good sign going forward.
Borom has played OG and OT in his NFL career which gives him nice versatility. Contract numbers are still undisclosed so we don’t know how highly the Lions view him yet. If the money is backup-equivalent (which is my guess), that’s a sign that the Lions are still looking for a starting OT - likely in the 1st round of the draft.
For some 1st-round OT options…