The Detroit Lions continued addressing their offensive line on the opening day of the NFL’s legal tampering window, agreeing to terms with veteran tackle Larry Borom. The move comes shortly after Detroit reached a deal with center Cade Mays, signaling an urgent effort to rebuild the trenches following the surprising Taylor Decker release.

According to NFL Network insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Borom’s deal cannot become official until the start of the new league year on Wednesday. Still, the signing immediately adds depth to a Detroit offensive line that suddenly has major question marks.

Borom, a Detroit native, brings experience after appearing in 63 games with 38 starts across five seasons with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. While the addition provides a familiar body in the trenches, it also highlights the difficult situation general manager Brad Holmes now faces after losing one of the franchise’s most reliable linemen.

Taylor Decker’s Release Leaves Major Hole on Lions’ Offensive Line

The Lions entered the offseason attempting to maintain their Super Bowl window for the 2026 season, but salary cap constraints complicated their plans. Detroit reportedly sits $6.7 million over the salary cap, according to Over The Cap, forcing the team to restructure contracts for stars such as Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Those financial pressures ultimately led to Taylor Decker requesting his release after the two sides failed to agree on a contract for the upcoming season.

Decker’s departure leaves Detroit without a long-time anchor at left tackle, where he started 140 games since being selected 16th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. Replacing that level of stability will not be easy.

Larry Borom Could Help — But Questions Remain

Borom could provide immediate depth and emergency starting ability, but he is far from a guaranteed long-term solution. During the 2025 season with Miami, Borom started 11 games at right tackle, allowing 15 pressures and two sacks on 380 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Injuries have also followed Borom throughout his career, including concussions, knee problems, and ankle issues, making durability another concern.

The Lions had previously hoped 2024 fourth-round pick Giovanni Manu might develop into a future starter. However, a redshirt rookie year and an injury-marred 2025 season have left his role uncertain heading into 2026.

Lions May Turn to the NFL Draft for a Long-Term Answer

Detroit could still address the tackle position in the 2026 NFL Draft, where the team currently holds the No. 17 overall pick. However, expecting a rookie to immediately replace a veteran like Decker carries risk.

With limited cap flexibility and several roster needs, the Lions now face a narrow margin for error as they attempt to rebuild their offensive line before next season.

Brad Holmes Faces Critical Offseason Decisions

Whether through free agency, the draft, or internal development, Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell must quickly stabilize the offensive line. Protecting quarterback Jared Goff remains essential after the Lions allowed 38 sacks in 2025, the highest total of Goff’s Detroit tenure.

For now, the Larry Borom signing represents a step toward filling the void left by Decker. But it also underscores the growing urgency for the Lions to find long-term answers in the trenches if they hope to contend in 2026.