Allen Park, Mich. – The Detroit Lions announced today that they have signed unrestricted free agent OL Cade Mays. Contract terms were not disclosed.
Mays comes to Detroit after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Carolina Panthers (2022-25), with a training camp stint on the New York Giants' practice squad in 2024. He has appeared in 52-career games (27 starts), allowing only 5.0 sacks in that time.
He originally entered the NFL with the Panthers as a sixth-round draft selection (199th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Tennessee.
View photos of newly-signed Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays.
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers guard Cade Mays (68) in action during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) celebrates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers guard Cade Mays (64) runs off the field during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Carolina Panthers guard Cade Mays (64) protects the pocket during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, November 24, 2024, in Charlotte, NC, . (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) prepares to hike the ball at the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) points out blocking assignments during an NFL Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 44-38. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) walks the sideline during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Panthers 26-10. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) looks for someone to block against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL wild card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 44-38. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) looks over the defense during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday Oct. 12, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) plays during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) protects the pocket during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan 3, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) points to a defender against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL wild card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
