🧠 Lions’ O-Line Coach Says It All in 8 Words About Center of the Future

“It’s going to be a natural for him.”

That’s all Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley needed to say about rookie Tate Ratledge—and honestly, that’s everything fans needed to hear.

When a coach who’s helped build one of the best O-lines in football drops a quote like that, it sticks. And when it’s about the guy expected to step into the massive void left by Frank Ragnow, well, it gets even louder.

📉 Losing a Legend, Finding a Foundation

Let’s rewind a bit. The Lions are coming off back-to-back NFC North titles, their best offensive season in franchise history, and the bittersweet retirement of Frank Ragnow—a four-time Pro Bowler and the brains behind so much of Detroit’s trench dominance.

Replacing that kind of leadership is no small ask. Ragnow wasn’t just a mauler in the run game or a wall in pass pro—he was the quarterback of the line, the guy making protections, calling out blitzes, and keeping Jared Goff upright and cool in the pocket.

So when Ragnow hung it up, fans understandably asked, “Who’s next?”

🐶 Enter the Bulldog: Tate Ratledge

Detroit’s second-round draft pick Tate Ratledge, a Georgia Bulldog with SEC grit and NFL-ready tools, is now the guy with the clipboard—and the helmet. And if Fraley’s words are any indicator, he’s got the brains and brawn to handle it.

“Our centers, like across the whole league, they do a lot. They’re like quarterbacks on that O-line,” Fraley explained.
“In time he’s going to get it down and become a pretty good center here.”

The Lions aren’t just hoping Ratledge can be the guy. They’re planning for it.

🧪 Chemistry Test

With John Morton calling plays and guys like Goff, Montgomery, and Gibbs returning, the Lions aren’t in a rebuild—they’re in refine-and-go mode. A smooth transition at center means the offense doesn’t lose steam. A clunky one? Well, things can unravel fast.

That’s why Ratledge’s fast-track development will be one of the top storylines in camp. He’s not just snapping the ball—he’s earning trust from a QB with Super Bowl expectations and a fanbase hungry for more than just playoff appearances.

🔜 What’s Next?

Training camp is around the corner, and eyes will be locked on how Ratledge handles the reps, the calls, and the pressure. He doesn’t have to be Frank Ragnow out the gate—but if he’s half the guy Fraley thinks he can be, Detroit’s offensive engine might not skip a beat.