Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell makes it clear how he feels about former Tennessee Vols OL Cade Mays
Former Tennessee Volunteers and Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Cade Mays landed a big free agent contract with the Detroit Lions earlier this offseason after playing for the Carolina Panthers last season.
Former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays landed a nice free agent deal with the Detroit Lions earlier this offseason.
Mays, who was selected by the Panthers in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, signed a three-year deal worth $25 million.
The deal made Mays one of the top 10 highest paid centers in the NFL.
It was a nice development for a former Vol who bounced between various practice squads during his first couple of years in the league before carving out a role in Carolina the last two seasons (Mays spent time on the New York Giants’ practice squad early in the 2024 season).
Lions head coach Dan Campbell makes it clear how he feels about Cade Mays
It’s still early in the offseason, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell really likes what he’s seen from Mays so far in Detroit.
“Cade, man, he’s a good looking dude,” said Campbell last week. “He’s a big man. He’s built right. [He] moves pretty good. Now it’s just getting up to speed with our terminology, the mic points, and all of that. But I like Cade, man. He’s going to be a good fit for us.”
Mays, who started his career with the Georgia Bulldogs before transferring to Tennessee (where he played with his younger brother, Cooper, for two seasons), started eight games for the Panthers in 2024. He started 12 games at center for Carolina in 2025.