In a stunning reversal that caught the NFL world off guard, four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow has come out of retirement to rejoin the Detroit Lions, the team announced on Wednesday, November 26. The move marks a dramatic turnaround just six months after the standout lineman shocked everyone by retiring in June, citing health concerns as his primary reason for stepping away from the game.
The timing couldn't be better for Detroit's Super Bowl aspirations. With the Lions sitting in a strong playoff position and facing critical games ahead, Ragnow's return provides an immediate upgrade to an offensive line that has struggled significantly without him this season.
The Surprise Unretirement
Ragnow's decision to unretire came as a complete shock, especially after Lions head coach Dan Campbell had seemingly closed the door on any possibility of his return. Just weeks ago, when asked about bringing Ragnow back, Campbell stated that "that ship has sailed." However, the team announced the reinstatement through a cryptic social media post showing Ragnow emerging from the tunnel with his hand raised—a dramatic reveal that sent shockwaves through the fanbase.
According to NFL Media,
Ragnow is already in excellent playing condition and will be ready to contribute "sooner, rather than later." This suggests the Lions could potentially have their star center available for upcoming games in their playoff push.
Why This Matters for Detroit's Offense
The impact of Ragnow's absence has been painfully obvious this season. Without their Pro Bowl center anchoring the line, the Lions' offensive performance has deteriorated noticeably.
The team's scoring has dropped by approximately four points per game compared to last year, and quarterback Jared Goff is on track to be sacked a career-high 36 times.
To fill the void left by Ragnow's retirement, the Lions shifted
Graham Glasgow from left guard to center, while also introducing two new starters at guard: rookie Tate Ratledge and second-year player Christian Mahogany. Unfortunately, this makeshift solution hasn't worked well. Pro Football Focus has rated Glasgow as one of the lowest-performing centers in the NFL this season, and he's currently sidelined with a knee injury that will keep him out of the Thanksgiving matchup against Green Bay.
Mahogany, meanwhile, is on injured reserve with a broken leg but is expected to return by the playoffs.
A Legendary Career Cut Short
Before his retirement, Ragnow had established himself as one of the league's elite interior offensive linemen. The
29-year-old center earned four Pro Bowl selections and three second-team All-Pro honors, serving as a cornerstone of the Lions' offensive line during their rise to Super Bowl contention.
From 2018 to 2024, Ragnow started every game he was healthy enough to play in, with the exception of 2021 when he appeared in just four games due to turf toe. The cumulative wear and tear of playing professional football ultimately led to his decision to retire at such a young age, prioritizing his long-term health over continued competition.
What's Next for the Lions
The Lions have five games remaining after Thanksgiving, starting with a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys next Thursday. With Ragnow's return, the team's offensive line should see immediate improvement, potentially unlocking the full potential of their rushing attack featuring Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, while also providing better protection for Goff.
This unexpected development could prove to be the difference-maker Detroit needs to make a serious Super Bowl run.
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Detroit Free Press - Frank Ragnow Ends Retirement to Rejoin Detroit Lions2.
CBS Sports - Lions' Frank Ragnow to Unretire, Gives Detroit Offensive Jolt3.
FOX Sports - Longtime C Frank Ragnow Unretires, Rejoins Team4.
NFL.com - Frank Ragnow Coming Out of Retirement to Rejoin Lions**
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1. Frank Ragnow rejoining Detroit Lions after short-lived retirement
2. Lions' Frank Ragnow to unretire, gives Detroit offensive jolt ahead of ...
3. Longtime C Frank Ragnow Unretires, Rejoins Team | FOX Sports
4. Lions great comes out of retirement to help in playoff push: reports
5. Frank Ragnow, four-time Pro Bowl center, coming out of retirement ...
6. Frank Ragnow Comes Out Of Retirement For The Lions - YouTube
