By Sunday 
Training camp is the proving ground where rookies fight for their spot, earn the trust of the coaching staff, and get their first real taste of NFL life. But for second-round pick Tate Ratledge, the grind hasn’t even started — and that might be a problem.
The First Holdout of the Holmes-Campbell Era
In what feels like a rarity under Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell’s leadership, a rookie is holding out. That rookie is Ratledge — a First-Team All-SEC standout and one of the highest-rated guards in the 2024 class. He’s chosen to skip camp as he waits on a fully guaranteed deal, following the precedent set by the Texans and Browns.
Sure, it’s business. But business comes with trade-offs.
He’s Missing More Than Just Practice
What Ratledge is really missing out on is opportunity. With the recent retirement of Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow and the departure of Kevin Zeitler, the Lions’ offensive line isn’t just retooling — it’s rebuilding. And Ratledge was expected to be part of that foundation, maybe even more than he realizes.
This early camp period is designed for rookies to get acclimated without the pressure of vets breathing down their necks. Coaches can actually spend time with them. Playbooks are learned. Relationships are built. Film sessions are golden.
Ratledge? He’s watching it all from the sidelines.
“Team First” Isn’t Just a Motto
The Lions have built their identity around a “team first” culture — grit, unity, accountability. And Ratledge, whether knowingly or not, is testing that philosophy. This is uncharted water for a franchise that prides itself on locker room harmony. Being the first player in the Holmes-Campbell era to hold out is a bold — and potentially isolating — move.
No one’s saying he doesn’t deserve to fight for fair compensation. But as a rookie with zero NFL snaps, he’s gambling a lot. Missing camp could set him behind mentally, physically, and even politically inside that locker room.
The Clock Is Ticking
The NFL is unforgiving to those who fall behind. For every draft pick, there’s another guy grinding at practice ready to steal a role. Veterans like Graham Glasgow — likely Ragnow’s temporary replacement — are already sharpening their reps. When Ratledge does arrive, there’s no guarantee he picks up where the team hoped he’d start.
This isn’t college anymore. There are no promises here — just reps and results.
Final Thoughts
Tate Ratledge has a chance to be a long-term fixture in Detroit’s trenches. He’s big, smart, athletic — and he belongs in the NFL. But starting off on the wrong foot with a team that values unity over ego could cast a shadow over what should’ve been a clean slate.
Let’s hope the business side wraps up fast — for his sake, and for the Lions’.