One of the best centers in the business is calling it a career.
Frank Ragnow, 29, posted the following on Instagram Monday.
"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. "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 this enough how grateful I am for this team and all the fans. It was an absolute honor going to battle for you all."
View photos of Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow.
The Detroit Lions first-round NFL football draft pick Frank Ragnow addresses the media, Friday, April 27, 2018, in Allen Park, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, poses with a fan after the Detroit Lions selected Frank Ragnow during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) spikes the football in celebration after a rushing touchdown during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 in Chicago. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisc. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Philadelphia. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) points out a defender during a NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019 in Oakland, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Chicago. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020 in Jacksonville, FL. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, September 12, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) before a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, September 12, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on September 20, 2021 in Green Bay, WI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, September 26, 2021 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, October 2, 2022 in Detroit, MI. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, December 4, 2022 in Detroit, MI. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during a NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, NC. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions).
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on September 28, 2023 in Green Bay, WI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 15, 2023 in Tampa, FL. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60), and Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on November 23, 2023 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 17, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 22, 2024 in Chicago. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
The three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler has consistently been one of the best centers in football since the Lions took him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He's coming off another All-Pro season in 2024 where he was graded the No. 3 overall center in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. In over 4,000 career pass-blocking reps Ragnow has allowed a grand total of 8.5 sacks over a seven-year career.
He has battled a foot injury since 2021, when he tore his plantar plate in his left foot Week 4 and missed the rest of the year. He later said it's inoperable and has managed the pain ever since. He's also dealt with back, knee and ankle injuries.
"Frank's been an unbelievable teammate, football player and man in the community. He's done it all," head coach Dan Campbell said Thursday. "He will be sorely missed.
"But this train goes on. Train rolls on and it's the next man up. We will be ready to go when camp hits. We have plenty of versatility up there. We like the guys that we drafted. We like our free agents that we brought in."
Ragnow, who turned 29 last month, had two years left on his contract. Campbell confirmed Thursday the team was aware of the possibility.
The Lions now head into the 2025 season with a new offensive coordinator and a new center, a hurdle to overcome for the league's top scoring offense last year.
During last week's first open OTA practice the Lions rotated between veteran Graham Glasgow and rookie second-round pick Tate Ratledge at center with the first-team offense. After selecting Ratledge with the No. 57 overall pick, Lions general manager Brad Holmes told the media the plan was to cross-train him at both guard spots and center. Glasgow has 22 career starts at center and has been Ragnow's primary backup there over his time in Detroit.
The team also signed veteran interior offensive lineman Trystan Colon this week. Colon, 27, has played in 51 NFL games over five seasons, most recently for Arizona in 2024. He played in 17 games for the Cardinals in 2024, making a career-high seven starts. He's made four career starts at center, all with Baltimore from 2020-22, and 11 starts at right guard from 2023-24 with the Cardinals.
The Lions are also high on second-year center Kingsley Eguakun.
View photos from Day 6 of Detroit Lions OTA practice on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Kye Robichaux (25) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Erick Hallett (36) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Malik Taylor (86) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Zach Horton (40) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) and Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
"We are going to have options," Campbell said. "That's why I'm excited about training camp. We're going to find this out. We're going to let these guys go at it. We got guys."
But Campbell also said they are going to need quick development from young players like Ratledge, fifth-round pick Miles Frazier and others.
"It's different knowing Frank is out of the fold now," he said. "That's where we're at and now we grow. We need development, quickly. That's why Hank Fraley is the coach in that room. He's done a hell of a job developing talent and he's going to get these guys right, whoever it is."
The Lions will certainly miss Ragnow's ability on the field as the anchor of their offensive line, but also his preparation and working relationship with quarterback Jared Goff. Ragnow handled a lot of the protections for Detroit's offensive line and now the new starting center and Goff will have to pick up where Ragnow left off.
