Cade Montgomery Mays Bio
Cade Montgomery Mays is an American professional football center for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 26, 1999, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mays has established himself as a reliable offensive lineman in professional football. He began his collegiate career at the University of Georgia before transferring to the University of Tennessee, where he developed into a standout player. The Carolina Panthers selected Mays in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 199th overall pick. After playing two seasons with the Panthers and a brief stint with the New York Giants, Mays signed with the Detroit Lions in March 2026.
Early Life and Background
Cade Montgomery Mays grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he attended Knoxville Catholic High School. Playing for the Fighting Irish, Mays developed his skills as an offensive lineman during his high school years. His upbringing in Knoxville positioned him well for his future football career, as the city has a strong football tradition in the state of Tennessee.
Mays comes from a family with deep football roots. His father, Kevin Mays, played as a lineman for the University of Tennessee from 1991 to 1994. His younger brother, Cooper Mays, continued the family tradition by playing for Tennessee from 2020 to 2024. This multigenerational connection to the Volunteers program would later influence Cade’s collegiate transfer decision.
Path to the NFL
After an impressive high school career at Knoxville Catholic, Mays enrolled at the University of Georgia in 2018 to begin his college football journey. As a true freshman in 2018, he made an immediate impact, earning Freshman All-American honors and being selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team. During his two seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs, Mays demonstrated versatility by starting at multiple positions across the offensive line.
Following the 2019 season, Mays made the significant decision to transfer to the University of Tennessee, where his brother Cooper was also playing. At Tennessee, Mays primarily played the right tackle position over two seasons with the Volunteers. His performance in his final collegiate season in 2021 earned him second-team All-SEC recognition from both the Associated Press and conference coaches, solidifying his draft prospects.
Cade Montgomery Mays Career
Carolina Panthers (2022–2023)
The Carolina Panthers selected Cade Montgomery Mays in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, making him the 199th overall pick. He joined a Panthers team looking to build depth along their offensive line. Mays worked his way into the rotation during his rookie season, eventually earning his first NFL start in Week 12 against the Denver Broncos. He appeared in 11 games and made two starts in his inaugural professional season, showing promise as a developing talent.
In the 2023 season, Mays took a significant step forward by appearing in all 16 regular season games and earning five starts. This increased playing time demonstrated his ability to stay healthy and contribute consistently at the NFL level. His performance throughout the season helped solidify his place on the Panthers roster heading into the 2024 campaign.
New York Giants and Return to Carolina (2024)
The Panthers released Mays on August 28, 2024, following training camp. Rather than remain unsigned for long, he quickly found a landing spot with the New York Giants. On September 10, 2024, Mays signed to the Giants practice squad, where he continued to develop while waiting for an opportunity to return to an active roster.
On October 8, 2024, Mays returned to familiar territory when the Carolina Panthers signed him off the Giants practice squad. He rejoined the team he had spent his first two professional seasons with. During the 2024 season, Mays earned the starting center role in Week 3 after Austin Corbett suffered an injury. He started 12 games at the position, demonstrating his adaptability and value to the Panthers offensive line.
Detroit Lions (2026–Present)
On March 9, 2026, Mays signed with the Detroit Lions, joining the franchise on a three-year contract worth $25 million. This signing marked a significant milestone in his career, representing his first major move to a new team since his initial rookie contract. The deal reflected the Lions’ confidence in Mays’ abilities as a starting-caliber center in the NFL.
Joining the Lions gave Mays an opportunity to compete for a starting role on a team with playoff aspirations. His experience playing multiple positions along the offensive line made him an attractive signing for Detroit’s coaching staff. The contract demonstrated that Mays had established himself as a valuable contributor in the league since his 2022 draft selection.
Driving Style and Strengths
As an offensive lineman, Mays brings size and length to the center position, standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 325 pounds. His experience playing both tackle and center during his career provides him with positional versatility that NFL teams value. His collegiate background at two prestigious programs, Georgia and Tennessee, prepared him with experience against high-level competition in the SEC, often considered the premier conference in college football.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mays’ professional career has been marked by steady progression and adaptability. His first NFL start in Week 12 of his rookie season represented a breakthrough moment, while his transition to center in 2024 showcased his ability to learn new positions. The $25 million contract with Detroit in 2026 served as validation of his development from a sixth-round draft pick into a reliable starting NFL lineman.
Cade Montgomery Mays Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Cade Montgomery Mays has built a reputation as a dependable offensive lineman with 52 games played and 27 starts across his professional seasons. His ability to remain healthy and contribute consistently has been a hallmark of his career, appearing in every game during the 2023 season and earning significant starting roles with both the Panthers and Lions.
Professional Career Highlights
Mays’ professional highlights include his rookie debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 of the 2022 season and his first NFL start in Week 12 against the Denver Broncos that same year. His 2023 season saw him start five games while appearing in all 16, demonstrating his reliability. Most notably, his 2024 campaign with the Panthers featured 12 starts at center after taking over the starting role mid-season. As of the 2025 season, Mays has appeared in 52 career games with 27 starts.
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cade Montgomery Mays comes from a football family with deep roots in the sport. His father, Kevin Mays, played as a lineman for the University of Tennessee from 1991 to 1994, establishing the family’s connection to the Volunteers program. This legacy continued with Mays’ younger brother, Cooper Mays, who played for Tennessee from 2020 to 2024, following in both his brother and father’s footsteps at the same university.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Cade Montgomery Mays enjoys outdoor activities including fishing and hunting. He has developed a hobby of collecting turkey stones. His personal interests provide a contrast to his physical presence on the football field, showcasing a more relaxed side of the professional athlete’s life.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a pivotal year for Cade Montgomery Mays. After being re-signed by the Carolina Panthers in October 2024 following his time with the New York Giants, Mays entered the 2025 season with an opportunity to establish himself as the team’s starting center. He earned the starting role in Week 3 after Austin Corbett sustained an injury, taking on significant responsibility immediately.
Throughout the 2025 season, Mays started 12 games at center for the Panthers, demonstrating his ability to handle the demands of a full-time starting role in the NFL. His performance solidified his value as an experienced offensive lineman capable of contributing at a high level. The Panthers’ decision to place an original-round tender on him in March 2025 reflected their recognition of his importance to the team.
Mays’ versatility and durability continued to serve him well during the 2025 campaign. His experience from previous seasons helped him navigate the challenges of a full NFL season while working with different teammates along the offensive line. The season positioned him well for his eventual move to Detroit in 2026, where he would sign the largest contract of his career and join a new franchise with different goals and expectations.