Tim Twentyman

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."

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 veteranGraham Glasgowand rookie second-round pickTate Ratledgeat 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 linemanTrystan Colonthis 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 centerKingsley Eguakun.

"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 quarterbackJared 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.