“These past couple of months have been very trying as I’ve come to the realization that my football journey is ending and I’m officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow wrote on Instagram Monday. “I’ve tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good but I’m not and it’s time to prioritize my health and my family’s future. I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t.
“I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. The Lions organization has been absolutely incredible throughout this process and I can’t emphasize enough how grateful I am for this team and all the fans.”
Ragnow was limited to four games in 2021, but he managed to suit up for either 15 or 16 games during each of the past three seasons. The former first-rounder earned a Pro Bowl nod every year in that stretch, bringing his career total to four. Ragnow earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020, and he matched that feat over both of the past two campaigns. He operated as a Lions starter immediately upon arrival, but for the first time in seven years, the team will be without his services, a spell which included six years at center.
Ragnow drew middling PFF evaluations during his rookie season as a guard. Since then, however, he has been among the league’s best at the center spot. The Arkansas product finished no worse than sixth for qualifying centers in terms of overall grade (except his brief 2021 season, when he earned a mark of 86.7 in his limited action). Expectations would have remained high moving forward, and two years remained on Ragnow’s contract. Now, though, his attention will turn to his post-playing days.
Detroit has veteran Graham Glasgow in place as an option to handle first-team center duties. The 32-year-old has spent much of his career at both guard spots, with that being the case for the majority of his two Lions stints. In 2018, though, Glasgow did operate as the team’s starting center before Ragnow took over that role. Another option at the center position would be second-round rookie Tate Ratledge. Rapoport’s colleague Mike Garafolo notes both Ragnow and Ratledge have taken center reps this spring.
The Lions managed to keep several depth options in place along the offensive line this offseason, but right guard Kevin Zeitler departed in free agency. Monday’s news means multiple moves will need to be made along the interior ahead of the 2025 campaign. Expectations will remain high for Detroit’s offense in no small part due to the play of the team’s O-line. That unit will nevertheless be notably different with Ragnow no longer in the fold.
After excelling on his rookie pact, Ragnow landed a 2021 extension. The AAV of that agreement ($13.5M) has only been surpassed three times since it was signed, an indication of the center position’s market value, but also his value to the Lions. After 100 combined regular-season and postseason appearances, Ragnow will depart the NFL with roughly $57M in career earnings.
