Kayode Awosika is one of five Detroit Lions restricted free agents, and it’s tough to predict his future.
Our 2025 Detroit Lions free agency series has dealt only with unrestricted free agents thus far. But restricted free agency adds a new level of complication to negotiations, and there are several players who are restricted free agents who the Lions may want back.
Today we focus on one of Detroit’s depth pieces who has been a quiet, steady player for the past two years: Kayode Awosika.
Here’s a look at our previously written free agent profiles: QB Teddy Bridgewater , WR Allen Robinson , WR Tim Patrick , G Kevin Zeitler , OT Dan Skipper , EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad , DT Levi Onwuzurike , DT Pat O’Connor , DT Kyle Peko , LB Derrick Barnes , CB Carlton Davis , CB Emmanuel Moseley , CB Kindle Vildor , CB Khalil Dorsey , S Ifeatu Melifonwu, and K Michael Badgley .
Kayode Awosika
Expectations heading into 2024
For the previous two seasons, Awosika had served as essential depth in Detroit. Capable of playing either guard position, Awosika had made 25 game appearances and five starts for Detroit from 2022-23. While the PFF grades weren’t great (50.4 and 55.7), Lions coaches regularly praised him, and he was the team’s primary interior offensive lineman reserve.
Going into 2024, the Lions had added some competition for backup roles, including Netane Muti and sixth-round rookie Christian Mahogany. In short, Awosika’s role as backup would have to be earned, and his spot on the 53-man roster was far from guaranteed.
Actual role in 2024
Regular season — 11 games (2 starts): 147 offensive snaps, 62 special teams snaps
PFF grade: 51.3 overall grade (did not qualify)
PFF pass block grade: 59.4
PFF pass rush grade: 52.5
Awosika made the Lions’ 53-man roster essentially by default. Muti suffered a season-ending injury early in training camp, while Mahogany started the season on the non-football illness list. He easily beat out the likes of Kingsley Eguakun, and Duke Clemons for a spot on the roster.
So his 2024 season was much like his previous two years: he spent it as the primary backup and had to start a pair of games. Again, the PFF grades weren’t kind to him, but the coaching staff was.
However, there was a changing of the guard late in the year. When Mahogany returned late in the season, he quickly jumped Awosika on the depth chart. For six of the final seven games of the season, Awosika was a healthy scratch.
“(Ka)yode has been solid, he’s been steady, we like Yode, we know what Yode can do,” coach Dan Campbell said. “But we needed to find out with Mahogany and seeing the growth and the development, it was time.”
Because he doesn’t play center, Awosika was passed also jumped by Michael Niese on gameday for the final two months.
Outlook for 2025
Contract status: Restricted free agent
A quick reminder on what it means to be a restricted free agent. Essentially, teams have four options with a restricted free agent:
- Offer a first-round tender — ($7.46M)
- Offer a second-round tender — ($5.35M)
- Offer a “Right of First Refusal” tender — ($3.25M)
- Don’t offer a tender and let them hit free agency
A first-round tender means that the player can choose to sign the one-year deal or seek out more with another team. If another team offers a better deal, the original team can either match or let the player go and receive a first-round pick as compensation. A second-round tender is the same, but with a second-round pick as compensation. A “Right of First Refusal” allows teams to match the new deal, but if they opt not to match, there is no draft compensation.
The final option is to just not offer a tender, and the player turns into an unrestricted free agent. That player could always return to the team on a non-tendered contract.
Pros of re-signing
The Lions’ interior offensive line remains in flux. Kevin Zeitler is a free agent, Graham Glasgow could be a cap casualty, and while Christian Mahogany played well down the stretch, it’s unclear if he’s ready to take on a starting role.
Awosika provides depth, reliability, and someone the coaching staff knows they can trust. He’s also been a very affordable veteran over the past few years. He played on a $985,000 exclusive rights free agency tender last year, and only cost $870,000 the year before. With three accrued seasons now, Awosika would likely play on the minimum salary of $1.1 million, and Detroit would likely be able to offer minimal guarantees in case he doesn’t make the roster.
Cons of re-signing
If he was an inactive behind Mahogany and Niese by the end of last year, there’s reason to believe Detroit can upgrade their depth. With Muti and Eguakun returning—and Niese likely to return on a cheap ERFA deal—they don’t necessarily need Awosika to return.
Additionally, it seems likely the Lions add to the room with a starting capable player either in free agency (or re-signing Zeitler) or free agency.
Is there interest from both sides?
Hard to say. I’m sure Awosika would love to have some stability, and playing in the same place for a fourth straight seasons. And the Lions have expressed multiple times how Awosika is a trusted veteran in the room. That counts for something, even if you’re looking to upgrade the position.
Conclusion
It think it’s clear the Lions don’t need to resort to using a restricted free agent tag on Awosika. He’s a nice player to have, but $3.25 million is simply more than he’s worth. However, bringing Awosika back on a minimum salary deal provides some insurance without guaranteeing him a roster spot. Personally, I think that’s probably worth it, especially considering the amount of offensive linemen teams carry into training camp. But it’s possible Detroit gets younger and cheaper with their offensive line depth, and I wouldn’t fault them for that.