Report: Former Texas A&M OT Germain Ifedi signs with the Detroit Lions

It has been reported that former Texas A&M Offensive lineman Germain Ifedi has signed with the Detroit Lions.

Former Texas A&M standout Germain Ifedi, a 2016 First-Round pick by the Seattle Seahawks, is on the move again after being released by the Atlanta Falcons and has reportedly signed with the Detroit Lions as of Wednesday, May 24.

After three seasons with the Seahawks, Ifedi played for the Chicago Bears from 2020-2021, as his last entire season was spent with the Atlanta Falcons as the primary backup at Right tackle behind Kaleb McGary. Playing with his former Aggie teammate in Falcons starting left tackle Jake Matthews, Ifedi has remained a steady and versatile backup option at the tackle position.

At 6-5 and 325 pounds, Ifedi is joining one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Though his skills as a staring tackle have come and gone, his size and strength can be utilized at either guard spot, providing immense depth for a Detroit Lions offensive line that will be run blocking at a high rate. Here’s to hoping this one stick for Germain! Gig ‘Em!

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

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Germain Ifedi: What the Lions are getting in their new offensive lineman

Breaking down new Detroit Lions offensive lineman Germain Ifedi and how he can help the team

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The Detroit Lions added veteran offensive lineman Germain Ifedi to the den on Tuesday. It’s a move that adds more experience and versatility to a Lions line that has five strong starters but some serious questions behind them.

What are the Lions getting in Ifedi?

The 28-year-old was a first-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks back in 2016. Ifedi now joins his fourth NFL team in five seasons hoping to extend a career that has been trending in the wrong direction since a couple of nice early campaigns with the Seahawks. Ifedi’s heyday came as Seattle’s starting right tackle back in 2017-2019.

Ifedi played for the Falcons in 2022 but saw just four reps as an actual offensive lineman, all at left tackle. That came after two seasons in Chicago, where he worked at both right guard and right tackle with varying degrees of success. He also played both guard and tackle in Seattle.

Ifedi’s wide base stance is his signature. He uses it to make his 6-foot-5, 325-pound frame even bigger. It might be the widest foot spread in the league. It helps him at tackle to set up against outside pass rushes. It also attempts to mitigate a decided lack of flexibility and natural knee bend from Ifedi.

The lack of relative bend and athleticism is readily apparent if you watch Ifedi for even a couple of offensive possessions. His lateral movement is below average, and he leans or lunges into contact, hoping to use his broad size to get the job done. It does work at tackle to some extent; Ifedi is a high-effort player who looks good when he wins the initial combat, and his ability to churn his feet and drive block once engaged is impressive.

Defenders with even token quickness or explosive get-offs at the snap have been a problem for Ifedi going back to his college days at Texas A&M. It’s why teams have tried him at guard instead of tackle, which is where his natural skills and length are better fits. His wide base and sluggish shoulders make recovering from an initial loss a real problem for Ifedi.

For Detroit, Ifedi appears to project best as insurance for starting right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who has similar (but lesser) weaknesses. Vaitai is coming off a season missed due to a back injury. Ifedi could also take over the swing reserve tackle role from Matt Nelson, who is a lot more effective as an extra OL than an actual tackle. A smart guy and good leader, Ifedi could also have a role in grooming fifth-round rookie Colby Sorsdal, a college tackle who might move to guard in the NFL too.

Ex-Falcons OL Germain Ifedi is signing with the Lions

Former Falcons OL Germain Ifedi is signing with the Detroit Lions, according to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero

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The Atlanta Falcons went on a spending spree at the start of free agency, but one of their more under-the-radar moves was re-signing offensive lineman Germain Ifedi to a one-year deal.

However, the Falcons apparently changed their minds and released the veteran swing tackle less than two months after signing him. One week after being released by Atlanta, it appears Ifedi has found a new home.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the 28-year-old is signing with the Detroit Lions.

Ifedi was drafted in the first round by the Seahawks back in 2016 and spent his first four seasons in Seattle. He would then play for the Chicago Bears for two seasons (2020-2021) before signing with the Falcons in 2022.

Over seven NFL seasons, Ifedi has recorded 83 starts and appeared in 102 total games. The veteran lineman did not start a game for Atlanta last season.

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Detroit Lions sign veteran OL Germain Ifedi

The Detroit Lions have signed veteran offensive lineman Germain Ifedi

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In the evening hours of the first day of voluntary OTA’s for the Detroit Lions, it was announced that they signed veteran offensive lineman Germain Ifedi. It’s unclear on the structure of his contract but I would assume it’s a veteran minimum deal for one-year.

Oddly enough, this signing comes from the Lions after their first few hours of potentially seeing veteran right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai. I’m unsure if Vaitai participated or showed up for the voluntary OTA’s in Detroit. However, we do know that he’s been dealing with a back injury for most of his tenure with the Lions. The signing of Ifedi could be insurance if Vaitai can’t play.

Throughout much of this off-season, the Lions have made it a point to upgrade their offensive line. This off-season the Lions re-signed Matt Nelson, signed Graham Glasgow and drafted Colby Sorsdal in the 5th round of the 2023 NFL Draft. They now add Ifedi, who could be just a camp body or like I said, he could be insurance to Vaitai and his injury woes.

For Ifedi, this is his 4th team in the NFL and he’ll certainly look to play more than the 8 total snaps he played for Atlanta last season. Prior to playing with the Falcons, Ifedi played over 1400 snaps with the Chicago Bears over his two seasons with the team. His second season with the Bears was partially spent on injured reserve due to a sprained knee.

All of this occurred after he spent four seasons as a starter with the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks selected him with the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Over the course of his career, Ifedi has played over 3900 snaps (per PFF) at right tackle and over 1500 snaps at right guard. If healthy, he’ll provide Detroit with some guard and tackle flexibility.

Report: Former Texas A&M OT Germain Ifedi signs 1-year deal to remain with the Atlanta Falcons

Former Texas A&M standout offensive tackle Germain Ifedi reportedly signed a 1-year deal to remain with the Atlanta Falcons.

Texas A&M has produced some of the best offensive linemen in the past 10 college football seasons while a number are still playing in the NFL, including former 2016 1st-round pick Germain Ifedi. Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, Ifedi played three seasons with the franchise before leaving to join the Chicago Bears from 2020-2021.

Recovering from a knee injury the previous season, Ifedi transitioned to signing with the Atlanta Falcons on April 6th of last year, spending the 2022 season as the primary backup at Right tackle behind Kaleb McGary. Playing with his former Aggie teammate in Falcons starting left tackle Jake Matthews, Ifedi has remained as a steady backup option at the tackle position.

On Wednesday, it was announced per a league source that Ifedi will remain with the Falcons for the 2023 NFL Season, good news for a young team that is looking to implement presumed starting quarterback Desmond Ridder in his first full season as the starting signal caller, needing a reliable offense line to help steady a ship that will most definitely deal with its share of storms next season.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

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Falcons signing OL Germain Ifedi to one-year deal

The #Falcons are bringing back veteran OL Germain Ifedi on a one-year deal, NFL Network reported on Wednesday

The Atlanta Falcons have brought back veteran offensive lineman Germain Ifedi on a one-year deal, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported on Wednesday. Ifedi, 28, didn’t start a game for the Falcons last year, but he served as a backup offensive tackle.

Ifedi was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. Playing both guard and tackle, Ifedi made 83 starts over his first six seasons in the league.

The Falcons have already extended right guard Chris Lindstrom and re-signed right tackle Kaleb McGary. With Ifedi, the team gets a nice depth signing with some versatility to play guard if necessary.

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Falcons sign versatile OL Germain Ifedi to one-year deal

The Atlanta Falcons signed veteran OL Germain Ifedi to a one-year deal on Wednesday afternoon.

After working out free-agent offensive lineman Germain Ifedi last week, the Atlanta Falcons officially signed the veteran to a one-year deal on Wednesday afternoon.

Ifedi, 27, was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round back in 2016. Over his six-year NFL career, Ifedi has started 83 games for the Seahawks and Bears. The former Texas A&M standout has some position versatility, playing both right tackle and right guard.

Pro Football Focus gave Ifedi a pass-blocking grade of 70.7, and a run-blocking grade of 58.6 in 2021.

While his 2021 season was shortened due to a knee injury, Ifedi played primarily at the right tackle spot after splitting reps at guard and tackle in 2020.

Ifedi isn’t a lock to start, but he’s definitely going to push another first-rounder, Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary, for the job. As we examined on Tuesday, McGary’s fifth-year option would cost the team a nice chunk of change, and he hasn’t performed anywhere near as well as Chris Lindstrom — whose option is also coming up.

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Falcons hosted free-agent OL Germain Ifedi for visit

The Atlanta Falcons hosted former Bears offensive lineman Germain Ifedi for a visit on Thursday.

The Atlanta Falcons hosted former Bears offensive lineman Germain Ifedi for a visit on Thursday. Ifedi, 27, was a former first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks back in 2016. He has appeared in 85 games over his six-year NFL career.

Ifedi has started 83 games for the Seahawks and Bears. The Texas A&M standout began his career playing right guard in Seattle, then switched to right tackle for the next three seasons.

In 2020, Ifedi signed with the Bears and split reps at both tackle and guard. Then last season, he played exclusively at right tackle but missed several games with a knee injury.

Ifedi finished the year with pass-blocking grade of 70.7, and a run-blocking grade of 58.6, per Pro Football Focus.

Atlanta has Kaleb McGary under contract for 2021, but it would be wise to add some competition to the right tackle position and potentially plan for a future without the former first-round pick.

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5 free agent right tackles Broncos should consider signing

With the exception of right tackle, the Broncos’ offensive line looks pretty good at the moment.

The Denver Broncos’ offensive line is nearly set.

Garett Bolles has the left tackle job locked down, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and Pro Bowl alternate recognition in 2021. Calvin Anderson provides good depth at tackle.

Denver also has plenty of options for the interior offensive line positions with Dalton Risner, Graham Glasgow, Netane Muti, Quinn Meinerz and Lloyd Cushenberry competing for three spots.

The only weakness on the Broncos’ offensive line is the starting right tackle job. Here’s a quick look at five free agent tackles Denver might consider when the NFL’s free agency negotiating window opens on Monday.

9 Bears players who seem likely to depart in free agency

Free agency is just around the corner. Here’s a look at some Bears players who appear to be on their way out of Chicago.

Free agency is just around the corner, and new Bears general manager Ryan Poles has plenty of needs to address on offense and defense as he builds a roster.

Wide receiver, offensive line, linebacker and defensive back remain Chicago’s biggest positions of concern, and there are plenty of intriguing options on the market. The good news is the Bears have roughly $26 million in salary cap space to work with — and that’s before making any other moves such as cutting some expensive veterans or restructuring contracts.

While Chicago is expected to lose some significant contributors, including Allen Robinson and Akiem Hicks, they’re very much in the thick of things when it comes to acquiring compensatory picks for those departures.

Here’s a look at nine Bears players who appear to be on their way out of Chicago in free agency: