With training camp on the horizon for teams across the NFL, the Detroit Lions continue to find ways to bolster their offensive line. As we saw in free agency and the draft, they added players such as Giovanni Manu, Christian Mahogany and Kevin Zeitler to their offensive line.
Today, it was announced that the Lions have also signed offensive lineman Ike Boettger to a contract.
#Lions signed Ike Boettger
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 22, 2024
It’s unclear if Boettger is signing a one-year contract or a longer term deal. However, this deal becomes official hours after the Lions announced that Giovanni Manu was placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list. While there’s no reason announced by the Lions, Manu had been a full participant in all mini-camp and OTA’s earlier this off-season.
For Boettger, he joins the Lions for his 7th season in the NFL. Previously, he had stints between the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts. He’s only played in 36 games in his career with 17 total career starts. Those 17 starts happened in Buffalo between the 2020 and 2021 season. He was undrafted out of Iowa in 2018 and had signed with the Bills.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Boettger had 636 offensive snaps played in 2021 and he allowed one sack while earning a 59.8 overall grade. In 2020, he didn’t allow a sack while playing 623 offensive snaps. This was good enough to earn a 65.3 overall grade.
Last season he only played 8 snaps on special teams for the Colts. He didn’t take a snap on offense. It’ll be interesting if Boettger can make the 53-man roster for the Lions. Either way, he’s a veteran player as the Lions prepare to start training camp on Tuesday.