The Detroit Lions are reportedly signing UFL offensive linemen Jake Burton, who has made Ford Field his “home” for the last three seasons.
As first reported by James Larsen—and confirmed by the Detroit News’ Tony Paul —the Detroit Lions are planning on signing Michigan Panthers offensive lineman Jake Burton .
Last year, Burton played in 11 games for the Panthers, spending his time exclusively at left guard. Prior to 2024, Burton spent two years with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars, playing at right guard, right tackle, and a little at left tackle. Coincidentally, both the Panthers and the Stars played their home games at Detroit’s Ford Field.
The Lions find themselves a little shorthanded at the offensive line position at the moment. On Tuesday, Netane Muti—one of the team’s primary reserve guards—suffered a shoulder injury that will require surgery and is considered long-term . Additionally, sixth-round draft pick Christian Mahogany remains on the Non-Football Illness list, and based on coach Dan Campbell’s recent comments, his return does not appear to be imminent.
“It’s a real thing, this illness,” Campbell said. “It really is a day-by-day. We have virtually checked him in so he’s virtually in meetings and things of that nature but man, when we know he’s ready to get here and be a part of what we’re doing, believe us, we’ll get him here as fast as possible, but as of right now, we have to assume we don’t have him.”
Burton will likely enter Detroit’s interior offensive line competition with the likes of Kayode Awosika, Ike Boettger, Michael Niese, and a slew of undrafted rookies (Kingsley Eguakun, Bryan Hudson, and Duke Clemens).
Fun fact about Burton: he overlapped with current Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley for one year at UCLA (2017).