Former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays has a big opportunity in the NFL in 2025

Former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays has a big opportunity in the NFL in 2025. 

Mays, a sixth-round selection by the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 NFL Draft, has had an uneven start to his pro career. 

The Knoxville native made seven starts during his first two seasons with the Panthers before getting released by the franchise ahead of the 2024 season. Mays briefly landed on the New York Giants' practice squad before getting re-signed by the Panthers last October. 

Earlier this spring, Carolina tendered Mays (he was a restricted free agent), which he signed on March 26 (Mays will earn $3.263 million in 2025). 

Mays had a strong finish to the 2024 season after returning to Charlotte. The former Vol played in 11 games with eight starts at center last season. 

In Week 18, Mays played every snap in a win against the Atlanta Falcons while earning an 81.4 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus. 

Mays will battle veteran Austin Corbett for the starting center job this fall. 

The Athletic named Mays and Corbett this week as two of the Panthers players with the most to prove in 2025 as they're both essentially hoping to earn a multi-year contract after this season. 

From The Athletic: Corbett and Mays, who will compete for the starting spot at center, aren’t on this list because they have to prove they are deserving of their contracts. Quite the contrary: Both re-upped with the Panthers on one-year deals for about $3 million. (Mays was a restricted free agent.)

Instead, both will be playing for future contracts while hoping to stay healthy and shore up the interior of an offensive line that was one of the team’s strengths in 2024. The health piece of this is especially true for Corbett, who’s dealt with serious injuries each of the past three seasons. With the four other spots up front secure, the position battle at center will be worth watching this summer. 

Mays, who turned 26 last month, has a chance to solidify himself as the Panthers' starting center in 2025, which could lead to a nice contract for the former Vol. He played well last season and gained some valuable starting experience, but he'll have to build on his performance from last year to win the job over Corbett. 

This is a massive opportunity for Mays that will essentially shape the rest of his NFL career.