By Moses Joshua 
Frank Ragnow’s retirement leaves a major gap in Detroit’s offensive line as training camp looms
An Unwelcome Surprise Shakes the Trenches
The Detroit Lions entered the 2025 offseason with optimism and continuity, returning most of the core from a 15-2 season that ended one game shy of the Super Bowl. But the departure of longtime center Frank Ragnow has thrown a wrench into their preparation for the new year.
Ragnow, one of the NFL’s premier centers, shocked many when he announced his retirement on June 2 at just 29 years old. His decision, driven by long-term health concerns, was met with respect and understanding. After all, Ragnow once famously played through a fractured throat. But for a team built from the inside out, his absence is anything but minor.
“He’s out there playing through pain the rest of us can’t even imagine,” head coach Dan Campbell once said. “We all respect the hell out of Frank.”
Respect aside, the Lions are now faced with a critical question: who will anchor the middle of one of the league’s best offensive lines?
Center of Attention: Who Replaces Ragnow?
The Lions’ front office, led by GM Brad Holmes, had already started planning for the future before Ragnow’s surprise announcement. Holmes used a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Georgia guard Tate Ratledge, who was immediately cross-trained at center during rookie minicamp.
While Ratledge brings championship experience from the SEC, the transition from guard to center in the NFL is steep—and the pressure to replace a four-time Pro Bowler only adds to the learning curve.
Ratledge may be the favorite to step in, but the Lions aren’t closing the door on competition. Versatile veteran Graham Glasgow could shift inside if needed, and other options could emerge depending on performance during camp.
Multiple Gaps, One Big Problem
Ragnow’s exit isn’t the only hit the offensive line has taken. The Lions also lost right guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency, leaving two interior spots open just weeks before training camp. That means a full-blown battle is brewing in the trenches.
Mahogany, Frazier, Ratledge, and Glasgow are all in the mix for starting spots, and Campbell is counting on a competitive summer to shape the new identity of Detroit’s front five.
“We pride ourselves on toughness up front,” Campbell said in a recent press conference. “But there’s no question—we’ve got to figure some things out.”
A Test of Depth and Development
The Lions have earned praise in recent years for developing linemen and building depth. But now, with three interior line positions potentially in flux, that developmental pipeline will be tested like never before.
Holmes and Campbell have made offensive line dominance a priority since arriving in Detroit. But as the 2025 season approaches, that foundation will be tested without its cornerstone.
One thing’s for sure: the race to replace Frank Ragnow—and solidify Detroit’s offensive identity—is officially on.