Being an NFL general manager means living in the pressure cooker - especially when you’re staring down a negative cap number and trying to keep a talented roster intact. That’s exactly where Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions find themselves heading into the 2026 offseason.
With free agency looming just over a month away, the Lions are $8.5 million over the cap and facing some tough decisions. But there’s a potential path forward - one that doesn’t involve gutting the roster, but rather getting creative with the contracts of a few cornerstone players.
A recent proposal from a Lions analyst lays out a three-move plan that could flip Detroit’s cap sheet from red to green - and open the door for a big splash in free agency. The idea?
Restructure the contracts of wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and quarterback Jared Goff, and cut veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow.
If executed, these moves could free up over $40 million in cap space - enough to make some serious noise on the open market.
Let’s break it down.
The St. Brown Restructure
Amon-Ra St. Brown has become one of the emotional and statistical leaders of this Lions offense - and his contract reflects that.
He’s currently set to carry a cap hit of $33.1 million in 2026. But under this proposal, Detroit would restructure his deal, bringing that number down to $11.5 million.
The key here is pushing some of that money into a future extension - a move that assumes St. Brown is going to be in Honolulu blue for the long haul.
And that’s a fair assumption. St.
Brown has been everything the Lions hoped for and more - a high-volume, high-effort receiver who sets the tone for the offense. By restructuring now, the Lions would be banking on a player who’s not just productive, but also durable and deeply committed to the team’s culture.
It’s the kind of move that makes sense both financially and philosophically.
Jared Goff’s Deal: A Calculated Restructure
Then there’s Jared Goff, who’s set to carry a massive $69 million cap hit in 2026. That’s a big number, even for a starting quarterback.
The analyst’s plan suggests restructuring $30 million of that, bringing the immediate hit down to $47 million. That’s still hefty, but it gives Detroit some breathing room without locking them into a long-term burden.
This isn’t a full restructure - it’s more of a strategic shift. Goff would see an additional $7.5 million tacked onto the remaining years of his deal, which runs through 2028.
He’ll be 34 by the end of that contract, so the Lions still have time to evaluate how he fits into their long-term plans. If Goff continues to play at a high level, a team-friendly extension could be on the table down the line.
If not, the cap implications remain manageable.
The Glasgow Cut: A Logical Move
The final piece of the puzzle is Graham Glasgow, the veteran guard who’s been a steady presence on the offensive line. Cutting Glasgow before June 1 would save the Lions $5.56 million, with a manageable $2.8 million dead cap hit. It’s not an easy call - Glasgow has been a reliable contributor - but it’s a move that makes sense given Detroit’s likely offseason priorities.
The Lions are expected to target the interior offensive line in the draft, and they’ll likely explore the free agent and trade markets for a starting center. That makes Glasgow, while valuable, somewhat expendable in the bigger picture.
Opening the Door for a Big Offseason
Put it all together, and this trio of moves gives Brad Holmes a chance to reshape the Lions’ offseason strategy. With over $40 million in potential cap space freed up, Detroit could go from cap-strapped to aggressive buyers in free agency. That kind of flexibility is gold for a team that’s on the cusp of contention but still needs a few key pieces to get over the hump.
And perhaps most importantly, these moves don’t require the Lions to part ways with their core talent. St.
Brown and Goff are team leaders - not just in production, but in presence. Restructuring their deals shows faith in their long-term value while giving the front office the room it needs to build around them.
For Holmes, it’s a delicate balancing act. But if the Lions can pull it off, they’ll be in prime position to reload - not rebuild - in 2026.