Surprising news today as Frank Ragnow announces his retirement.
The Detroit Lions have had a rough offseason. With limited cap space, they made very little improvement to their roster (which, to be fair, was already strong), but the early part of the offseason saw the Lions lose coach after coach.
Not only did they lose Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets and Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears, but they also lost several other assistants to other jobs across the league. All told, a total of 8 coaches left the Lions staff for promotions elsewhere.
Now, the Lions have lost their on-field coach as well. Frank Ragnow, considered the best center in the NFC, surprisingly announced his retirement from the NFL today.
Ragnow announced his retirement on Instagram: “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. 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.”
Not only do the Lions lose an All-Pro-caliber lineman off their unit, but they lose him after free agency and the draft, so they have no path to replace him either. Beyond Ragnow’s skills, he was also the man who made all the line calls for the offensive line, which helped make this unit churn as one of the best in the entire league.
Lions offense in 2023, with and without Center Frank Ragnow on the field (w/ league ranks):
With (755 plays)
Yards/Play: 6.0 (3rd)
Success Rate: 44.7% (4th)
EPA/Play: .09 (T-2nd)Without (182 plays)
Yards/Play: 5.3 (13th)
Success Rate: 36.4% (29th)
EPA/Play: -.13 (27th)— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 18, 2023
Without Ragnow, the Lions had no firm plan behind him and will most likely have to move 2025 second-round pick Tate Rateledge to center and start 2024 6th round pick Christian Mahogany at one of the guard spots. Hank Fraley is one of the best offensive line coaches in the league, so he can certainly make things work with this group, but likely, it won’t be as strong as it has been the last couple of seasons.
With the loss of Ragnow and so many coaches, it’s hard not to imagine the Lions regressing this year. That news, as well as the idea that the Minnesota Vikings are going to be starting, in essence, a rookie at quarterback with second-year player JJ McCarthy, certainly opens up the door for another team to ascend to the top of the division.
Detroit Lions fans were dealt a blow today, but Ragnow did what he felt was best for himself and his family, and he should be applauded.