Lions signing former Jaguars starting guard
The Lions are going to have a full on competition at guard this summer
Things come at you pretty fast. I just published a story about how Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes says the Lions aren’t done in free agency, and bang. They sign another player.
Lions are signing guard Ben Bartch
The former fourth-round pick has been in the NFL for some time now, and it’s fair to say he hasn’t had much on-field experience, but when he has played, he’s looked really good as a left guard. The Jaguars drafted him and immediately stuck him at right guard. In 2021, he started the majority of the season for them at the position, and he showed himself to be a solid pass blocker and run blocker. He allowed 24 pressures and three sacks.
In 2022, he was moved to left guard, where he started the first five games of the season and allowed seven pressures but no sacks. He was putting out some elite pass blocking grades and above average run blocking grades, and then he dislocated his knee and missed the rest of the year.
When he came back in 2023, the Jaguars had traded for Ezra Cleveland, and then they waived him. He went to the 49ers, where he’s been coming off the bench the last two seasons. In 2025, he played heavy snaps in six games and played really well, but dealt with injuries again and was put on injured reserve.
The Lions now have Christian Mahogany, Tate Ratledge, Miles Frazier, Juice Scruggs, Michael Niese, and Ben Bartch at guard. This is going to be a full-on competition for that left guard spot. Knowing the Lions, you can’t even assume they’re done there.