March 25, 2026, 11:26 a.m. ET
The Detroit Lions are including more competition for their offensive line.
The Lions signed veteran guard Ben Bartch on Wednesday, March 25. Bartch began two video games at left guard for the San Francisco 49ers final season earlier than lacking time with a excessive ankle sprain.
He took a free-agent visit to the Lions final week.
A fourth-round decide by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, Bartch, 27, might compete with Christian Mahogany for the starting job this fall.
The Lions have centered on rebuilding their line this offseason after lacking the playoffs final 12 months for the primary time since 2022.
They lower veterans Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow, signed Cade Mays and Larry Borom in free company, added Juice Scruggs by trade and return Mahogany, Tate Ratledge and Penei Sewell as starters.
Sewell, a three-time All-Pro, could move from right to left tackle to exchange Decker, whereas Ratledge seems locked in on the proper guard spot.
Bartch has been a part-time starter for most of his six NFL seasons and made 11 begins at proper guard for the Jaguars in 2021. He performed Division III soccer in school at Saint John’s University in Minnesota and spent elements of every the previous two seasons on injured reserve.
Lions coach Dan Campbell mentioned after the season he was intent on including more competition to his roster this offseason.
“I just want to make sure, man, we go after it,” he mentioned. “And I’m not saying we weren’t hungry, but let’s get that hunger back and we’re going to bring in some guys to compete. That’s the thing, man. We need competition in a lot of areas, man, cause that brings out the best in players, whether it’s with some of the guys that were here or the guys that we bring in. That’s how you elevate the roster.”
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
