Lions' left guard job still not settled, so they might play two in opener

Christian Mahogany and Ben Bartch will split reps at left guard in practice for the Detroit Lions this week and the team could use both players in their season opener Sunday, Sept. 13, against the New Orleans Saints, Lions coach Dan Campbell said. "Yeah, we could," Campbell said. "[Tuesday] they’re

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Christian Mahogany and Ben Bartch will split reps at left guard in practice for the Detroit Lions this week and the team could use both players in their season opener Sunday, Sept. 13, against the New Orleans Saints, Lions coach Dan Campbell said.

"Yeah, we could," Campbell said. "[Tuesday] they’re going to split. I see them splitting on Thursday, I see them splitting on Friday, and then if nothing’s been decided by then, then maybe they both play."

Detroit Lions offensive lineman Ben Bartch (78) speaks to media members after practice during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Mahogany started 11 games at left guard for the Lions last season and handled most of the first-team reps at the position this summer, while Bartch was recovering from injuries.

Bartch underwent Lisfranc surgery last year while playing for the San Francisco 49ers and missed time with a concussion in training

camp.

Campbell praised Bartch's play in camp but said Aug. 20 he did not think there was enough time for Bartch to win the starting job. The Lions signed Bartch this offseason with thoughts of having an open competition at left guard.

"I know Bartch hasn't been out there as much, but when he was out there, he was good," Lions general manager Brad Holmes said last week. "He performed well, he just wasn't able to be out there as much. But I would say last week with the practices, the scrimmage and that preseason game, he earned his spot."

The Lions will unveil a new-look offensive line against the Saints that would be one of the youngest in the NFL with Mahogany as a starter.

Penei Sewell, a three-time first-team All-Pro at right tackle, will play left tackle full-time for the first time since his final college season at Oregon in 2019. Juice Scruggs is expected to replace the injured Cade Mays at center. Rookie first-round pick Blake Miller will start at right tackle. And right guard Tate Ratledge is the only returning starter other than Mahogany.

"We're really excited about that group," Holmes said. "Obviously, we’ve got a lot younger and a lot of guys had a lot of opportunities to grow that we were already excited for."

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions' left guard job still not settled, so they might play two in opener