ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Seth McLaughlin got his first extended opportunity with the Detroit Lions’ starting offense, stepping in at center after Cade Mays suffered a significant wrist injury in training camp.
McLaughlin worked with quarterback Jared Goff and the first-team offensive line as the Lions began adjusting to Mays’ absence.
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It was McLaughlin’s first practice rep with Goff, but the second-year center said the transition went smoothly.
“It’s definitely an adjustment period, but the operation was pretty smooth today,” McLaughlin said.
Goff agreed, saying McLaughlin handled the switch well.
“He stepped in there nicely and didn’t miss much of a beat,” Goff said. “His communication was really good.”
Mays’ injury
Mays, who signed a three-year, $25 million contract with Detroit this offseason, is expected to miss significant time after hurting his wrist during a protection drill.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday (Aug. 10) that Mays will be out for a while but expressed confidence he will return later in the season and be ready for the playoffs.
Mays was brought in to help replace retired center Frank Ragnow and had been making progress throughout training camp before the injury.
“It sucks,” Goff said. “He’s done such a good job up to this point. It was kind of a freak deal that happened to him.”
McLaughlin’s opportunity
With Mays sidelined, McLaughlin has a chance to compete for the starting job.
Campbell said McLaughlin would receive first-team reps, while Michael Niese and Tate Ratledge also could provide options at center.
Juice Scruggs is another candidate once he returns from a soft-tissue injury.
McLaughlin said he is focused on making the most of the opportunity rather than looking too far ahead.
“I’m taking it one practice at a time,” McLaughlin said. “Getting better. You know, at practice 11 of camp, you’re not who you want to be on the first day of the regular season. So there’s a long way to go to keep getting better.”
The opportunity comes as McLaughlin continues to work his way back from an injury.
He said he finally feels fully healthy this training camp and has been able to move at full speed again.
A familiar foe on the field
McLaughlin also had some added motivation Monday; he lined up against defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, his former Ohio State teammate and close friend.
Williams attended McLaughlin’s wedding, and the two have remained close since their time with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
“It’s a good chess match,” McLaughlin said. “He’s definitely helped me get better.”
McLaughlin said the two occasionally compare notes after practice, discussing what they each felt during particular plays and how they responded to one another.
Building chemistry with Goff
While McLaughlin had limited work with Goff before Monday, the center said he has gotten plenty of experience in Detroit’s offense through organized team activities and training camp.
Working with Goff still required some adjustment, particularly with cadence and communication in the huddle.
“Every quarterback you have to work with to get their verbiage down and their speed in the huddle,” McLaughlin said. “So it’s really just about getting those reps.”
Goff said McLaughlin was decisive with his calls and commanded the huddle well.
“You’re going to make mistakes, things are going to happen, but he was decisive, and he was quick,” Goff said.
Finding the best five
The Lions now have several weeks to determine who will anchor the offensive line before the regular season begins.
Campbell said the team’s goal remains to identify its best five offensive linemen and determine where each player fits.
“We will find the best five,” Campbell said Monday.
For McLaughlin, the chance to take first-team reps is an opportunity he did not expect to receive under these circumstances, but one he intends to embrace.
“It’s not always how exciting that you get the opportunity, but I’m going to try to make the best of it,” McLaughlin said.
Joshua Dobbs/Teddy Bridgewater
Goff said he will miss Teddy Bridgewater following the veteran quarterback’s retirement and is happy to see Joshua Dobbs return to the team.
Bridgewater, who spent the 2024 season as Goff’s backup in Detroit, announced his retirement after seven NFL seasons.
“Man, Teddy, I’ll miss him,” Goff said. “He was great to me. He was great to the guys around the locker room. Great to have in the room.”
Goff said he was disappointed by the circumstances surrounding Bridgewater’s departure but wished him well in retirement.
“It is what it is, and I wish him the best,” Goff said. “I hope he’s happy. I know he’s happy, and hope everything goes well for him.”
Bridgewater became a respected presence in the Lions’ quarterback room and locker room during his time in Detroit.
He also worked closely with Goff as a veteran backup and sounding board.
Dobbs, meanwhile, recently returned to the Lions after previously spending a brief stint with the team back in 2022.
Goff has known Dobbs for much longer than their time together in Detroit.
The two quarterbacks first met at the Elite 11 quarterback competition while they were in high school roughly 15 years ago.
“Josh and I met in high school at the Elite 11 15 years ago or so,” Goff said. “And so I’ve known Josh for a long time. Competed against him.”
Dobbs spent about 10 days with the Lions previously, according to Goff, who said he enjoyed having him around.
“He was great to have in the room then, and I’m excited to have him back,” Goff said.
Dobbs’ return gives the Lions another familiar quarterback as they continue working through training camp and preparing for the regular season.