From Undrafted Rookie to Pro: Watch Cade Mays' Trailblazing Journey from Michigan's Backyard!
A full breakdown of Cade Mays’ contract with the Detroit Lions, including salary, guarantees, and how the deal impacts the team’s salary cap.
The Detroit Lions made a notable move to strengthen their offensive line by signing Cade Mays in free agency. Now, the full contract details are shedding light on how the deal impacts Detroit’s salary cap moving forward. Breaking Down the Deal Mays agreed to a contract worth $25 million, which includes (Via Spotrac) : $6.
48 million signing bonus $14 million guaranteed $8. 33 million average annual salary At just 26 years old, Mays provides both youth and upside at a key position in the middle of Detroit’s offensive line. How the Cap Hit Works The Lions structured the deal in a way that spreads out the financial impact over multiple seasons.
The $6. 48 million signing bonus is prorated at $1. 296 million per year This prorated amount is spread over five years (2026–2030) This approach helps Detroit maintain flexibility in the short term while still securing a starting-caliber player.
Void Years and Long-Term Impact The contract also includes four void years (2029–2032) , a common strategy used to manage cap hits. Here’s how that breaks down: 2029–2030: ~$2. 74 million cap hit each year 2031–2032: ~$1.