Detroit thought it had lost its offensive anchor for good. Instead, Frank Ragnow has stunned the NFL, emerging from retirement just months after walking away from the game at 29 — and just in time to rescue a struggling Lions offensive line.
Detroit Lions fans received a major jolt of breaking news Wednesday as former Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow — who retired suddenly in June at age 29, is officially coming out of retirement. The move provides a significant boost to Detroit’s struggling offensive line, which has battled inconsistency since Ragnow stepped away.
Ragnow, one of the league’s top centers during his seven-year career, informed the team he is ready to return and is already in football shape, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. His decision to retire on June 2 shocked much of the league, but one source said the reason for his return is simple: “He loves the game.”
Despite signaling his comeback, Ragnow will not be eligible to play in Thursdays matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Before the Lions can officially reinstate him, the veteran must pass a physical and complete all contractual requirements, a process that could take several days. Today also marked the official deadline for Detroit to activate him from the reserve–retired list; NFL rules require reinstatement prior to a team’s Week 13 game.
Ragnow’s return comes at a time when the Lions desperately need stability on the interior offensive line. After Ragnow’s retirement, veteran guard Graham Glasgow moved to center, but his performance has been uneven. The Lions are 24th in the NFL in pass blocking, and quarterback Jared Goff has been sacked at one of the highest rates in the league — 12th most entering Week 13.
Glasgow’s weekly Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades during Detroit victories highlight the inconsistency:
• Week 2: 56.7
• Week 3: 63.8
• Week 4: 70.1
• Week 5: 66.6
• Week 7: 67.6
• Week 10: 78.0
• Week 12: 47.7
Though Detroit managed to win several of those games, the numbers reflect a clear drop from Ragnow’s elite standard. I’d expect Glasgow to slide over to left guard where he is more comfortable with.
Since entering the league in 2018 as a first-round pick, Ragnow has been one of the NFL’s most dominant centers. His 91.7 overall PFF grade ranks third among centers during that span, and his 93.6 run-blocking grade is also third. In Week 1 of last season, Ragnow graded out as PFF’s top center.
His accolades are well-documented: Ragnow is a four-time Pro Bowler and has earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020, 2023 and 2024. His ability to anchor the offensive line and elevate Detroit’s run game has long made him a cornerstone of the franchise.
The earliest realistic opportunity for Ragnow to suit up again appears to be next Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys, though team sources say that remains unlikely. A more probable target date is Detroit’s Dec. 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Ragnow now joins a growing list of high-profile NFL players who reversed retirement decisions this year, including defensive end Brandon Graham and tight end Darren Waller.
For the Lions, who remain in the thick of the NFC playoff race, Ragnow’s return could not come at a better time. After months of uncertainty, Detroit regains one of the best offensive linemen in football, and perhaps a stabilizing force for the stretch run.