Detroit Lions The Lions selected Cherilus in the first round with the 17th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Cherilus became a starter in the offensive line in his third game in the league replacing
George Foster, and held that position for most of the 2008 season. As a rookie, he appeared in 16 games and started 13. In the 2009 season, he started all of the regular season games but Week 5. In the 2010 season, he started the first 12 games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. In the 2011 season, he started in all of the regular season games but Week 2. In addition, he started in the Lions' playoff game. In the 2012 season, he started in all 16 regular season games.
Indianapolis Colts On March 12, 2013, Cherilus signed a five-year, $35 million with the
Indianapolis Colts. Upon signing his contract with the Colts, Cherilus was the highest paid right tackle in the NFL at that time. He played the right tackle position opposite left tackle
Anthony Castonzo. In 2013, he started all 16 games and started in the Colts' two postseason games. In 2014, Cherilus started 13 games, including his 100th career start in week 15. He missed the final two weeks of the regular season due to injury, and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 31, which is New Year's Eve. On July 26, 2015, Cherilus was released by the Colts, two years into his five-year contract, having started 29 games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers On August 17, 2015, Cherilus signed a two-year contract with the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During the 2015 season with the Buccaneers, Cherilus started in all 13 games he played for the team. In the 2016 season, he played in 15 games, starting in three. On March 16, 2017, Cherilus announced his retirement from the NFL. == Personal life ==