Source: Lions, center Cade Mays reach agreement

The Detroit Lions have reached an agreement with former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays, according to NFL Network.

The 26-year-old Mays started 12 games for Carolina in 2025, opening the season as the backup to Austin Corbett. However, after Corbett suffered a left knee MCL injury in Week 2, Mays showed why the competition for the starting job was close throughout training camp.

The 2022 sixth-round pick out of Tennessee didn't give up a sack over 726 snaps and had a 94.3% run block win rate that ranked among the top 20 centers in the league.

ESPN's David Newton contributed to his report.