The Detroit Lions got rocked this week when Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow announced he’s retiring. It’s a huge blow for a team that built its offensive identity—and protection scheme—around one of the best O-lines in football. But while the entire offense will feel the impact, no one stands to lose more than quarterback Jared Goff.
Ragnow wasn’t just a solid starter—he was elite. Four Pro Bowls, three All-Pro selections, and a consistent anchor for the line. Now, with no clear-cut replacement, the Lions are scrambling. Veteran Graham Glasgow and rookie Tate Ratledge are the next men up, but let’s be honest—that’s a significant drop-off in reliability, especially in the middle of the line.
And that’s where it really stings for Goff. He’s not a mobile guy. Never has been. Interior pressure is his kryptonite, and that’s exactly where defenses will test Detroit now. NFL analyst Brett Kollmann even warned that if Glasgow goes down, the Lions could be starting three rookies across the interior. That’s a nightmare scenario for a pocket passer like Goff.
The last time Goff had to deal with a crumbling O-line—in his final season with the Rams—his play fell off hard. It was enough to get him shipped out of L.A. in the Stafford trade.
Add to that the fact that the Lions also lost play-caller Ben Johnson and are handing the offense over to John Morton, who hasn’t called plays in nearly 10 years. That’s a ton of transition for a team coming off a 15-2 season with Super Bowl dreams.
No question, Goff has the accuracy and arm to keep Detroit in the mix. But with the foundation around him shifting this much, we’re about to find out just how much of his success relied on Ragnow and the old system.
Why Frank Ragnow’s Retirement Could Derail Jared Goff’s 2025 Season
