Ray Agnew embarks on his 25th season in NFL personnel and his sixth season with the Lions as assistant general manager after joining the team in 2021. Agnew assists and consults Executive Vice President and General Manager Brad Holmes on all functions of the player personnel department. Agnew continues to be a key asset in Holmes's roster construction and team-building efforts. His influence continues to be integral in the roster construction and success of the club during his tenure. With his assistance, the Lions have recorded four-consecutive winning seasons. He also helped the club secure back-to-back NFC North Division titles for the first time in 2023 and 2024. The team's 15-2 record in 2024 marked the most regular-season wins in franchise history. Before the historic 2024 season, Agnew's fingerprints were on the club's 12-5 record, which at the time, tied the single-season franchise record for wins in a season. The 2023 season was also the third season in club history to have multiple playoff games won, and the first time it occurred in a season for the franchise since 1957. The 2023 roster clinched Detroit's first Division Championship since 1993 and advanced to the club's first NFC Championship since 1991.
Before coming to Detroit, Agnew spent four years as the director of pro scouting with the Los Angeles Rams. He was a member of the Rams scouting staff for 18 seasons, having previously served as the assistant director of pro personnel.
In Los Angeles, Agnew was tasked with evaluating all 32 NFL rosters in preparation for free agency and writing advance scouting reports for upcoming opponents. For the draft, he evaluated all players on the Rams' draft board and prepared grades alongside team need analysis for the draft process. Throughout the year, Agnew was also responsible for the preparation of potential trade scenarios.
Prior to transitioning to the Rams' personnel department, Agnew spent seven years as director of player development/team pastor with the Rams. He served as a spiritual mentor for players and assisted them with life issues.
Before joining the front office, Agnew spent three seasons with the Rams as a defensive tackle (1998-2000) and was a vital contributor on the field and in the locker room as the Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999. He totaled 11 seasons in the NFL after being selected in the first round (10th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of N.C. State. He played for New England from 1990-94 and with the New York Giants from 1995-97 before joining the Rams as an unrestricted free agent. He totaled 157 career games played and recorded 23.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and one interception.
Agnew currently resides in Birmingham, Mich., with his wife, Katherine. Together, they have three sons who are all involved in football, and two granddaughters, Noah and Mila. Ray III is currently a college scout with the New York Jets, Malcolm is the running backs coach at Stanford, and Keenan is a pro scout for the Tennessee Titans.
