The Detroit Lions’ biggest free agent acquisition to date is former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays.
The 6-foot-6, 325-pound center was originally selected by the Panthers in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Mays’ career has flourished as he became a full-time center the past two seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, Mays allowed just 17 hurries and zero sacks in 803 pass interceptions over the past two seasons with Carolina.
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When Mays signed, his contract was reportedly worth $25 million over three years, with $14 million guaranteed. Now, full details on Mays’ trade and cap hit have been released.
According to Spotrac, here is Mays’ contract with the Lions:
Cade Mays’ contract with Lions
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2026: Base $1.215 million; $1.296 million signed; $210,000 active/GM roster bonus; $50,000 workout bonus; $2,771,000 cap hit
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2027: Base $7.695 million; $1.296 million signed; $255,000 active/general manager roster bonus; $50,000 workout bonus; $9.296 million cap hit
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2028: Base $1.305 million; $1.296 million signed; $255,000 active/general manager roster bonus; $50,000 workout bonus; $4.384 million cap hit
Mays has a cap hit of $2.774 million in 2029 and 2030 and $1.478 million in 2031 and 2032.
In four seasons, Mays has played in 52 games for the Panthers, starting 27, including 12 starts in 2025. A Tennessee alumnus, Mays didn’t give up a sack in 726 snaps last season and had a 94.3% run win rate, ranking among the top 20 centers in the league.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions OL Cade Mays contract details, cap hit released
