The Detroit Lions re-signed offensive lineman Kayode Awosika on Friday, keeping another top backup in town.

Awosika appeared in 11 games and made two starts for the Lions last season before losing his job as the Lions’ top backup interior lineman to rookie Christian Mahogany.

Mahogany, a sixth-round pick out of Boston College, is in line to start at one guard spot in 2025 after the Lions lost Kevin Zeitler to the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Graham Glasgow, who started 16 games at left guard last season, also is under contract for next season.

The Lions have focused mostly on building depth this offseason, keeping several of their key backups from last year’s 15-2 team and adding just one likely starter – cornerback D.J. Reed – in free agency.

On the offensive line, the Lions also re-signed swing tackle Dan Skipper this offseason.

Awosika originally signed with the Lions off the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad in 2022. He played in 10 games, mostly as a backup that season, and made three regular-season starts and another playoff start in 2023.

The Lions did not tender Awosika as a restricted free agent.

The one person who could help bring Za’Darius Smith back to the Lions, it’s not Brad Holmes by the way

Right before the start of NFL Free Agency, the Detroit Lions decided to take the opportunity to free up some cash by letting veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith go. In the process, they saved $11 million and got out of Smith’s void year in 2026.

Since then, Lions fans have been hoping that Detroit would find a way to bring Smith back at a reduced rate and help them have some extra pass rushers on the roster to get to the quarterback.

It’s something that doesn’t really seem like a possibility if we’re being super honest. Smith could potentially make a lot more money elsewhere and possibly with another team that is looking to win the Super Bowl. The Bills make a lot of sense.

Still, there is one person who can help a reunion happen and it’s not Brad Holmes. Don’t get me wrong, Holmes would have to be involved, too obviously. But the one person we’re talking about is Smith’s new girlfriend, Detroit rapper Kash Doll.

Kash Doll & her new Bae NFL Football Player Za'Darius Smith Living It Up in Ghana 🇬🇭❤️ pic.twitter.com/lpM2r5GGoJ

— Raphousetv (RHTV) (@raphousetv2) March 4, 2025

That makes things interesting, doesn’t it? Obviously Kash Doll isn’t going to negotiate a new deal for Smith, but she does give Smith and pretty good reason to want to stay in Detroit.

It’s a pretty out-of-the-box thing in the NFL, but love makes you do out-of-the-box things all the time.

Again, we still think this is a bit of a long shot since the Lions have to be on the deal too, and they appear to be focused on the draft to build out their edge rusher room and that’s the cheaper route to go at the end of the day. It’s worth noting that Kash Doll also keeps a home in Atlanta. So maybe the Falcons are a team to watch here, too.