Frank Ragnow coming out of retirement to rejoin Lions

Richard Silva and Nolan Bianchi, The Detroit News on Nov 26, 2025

Published in Football

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DETROIT — You don't have to pinch yourselves, Detroit Lions fans, this is real: Frank Ragnow is coming out of retirement.

Ragnow, a multi-time All-Pro, first announced his retirement in June, citing health reasons. The former first-round pick and standout in the middle of Detroit's vaunted offensive line has endured a number of injuries throughout his career, including a fractured throat and, as recently as 2024, a partially torn pectoral muscle.

But those ailments were seemingly not enough to keep Ragnow, 29, away from the game for long. His reinsertion gives new hope for the Lions' offensive line, which has been up and down through the first three months of the 2025 season. Quarterback Jared Goff has been sacked 23 times (12th-most in the NFL), and Detroit has rushed for fewer than 100 yards in each of its four losses. The Lions were held to under 75 rushing yards against the Green Bay Packers (Week 1), Minnesota Vikings (Week 9) and Philadelphia Eagles (Week 11).

Without Ragnow, the Lions have turned to veteran Graham Glasgow, moving him from guard to center. At guard, the Lions initially leaned on second-year pro Christian Mahogany (left) and rookie Tate Ratledge (right), but Mahogany broke a bone in his leg earlier this month and has since been replaced by Kayode Awosika. Mahogany could return in late December, Lions coach Dan Campbell has estimated.

"Frank Ragnow isn't done yet," Ragnow's charity, the Rags Remembered Foundation, posted Wednesday night. "After stepping away from the game, he's made the decision to return to the field. His work through the foundation will continue, his impact will continue, and now, his journey on the field continues as well. We are so proud of you, Frank!"

To call Ragnow's un-retirement a surprise would be an understatement. Asked on Nov. 4 about Ragnow, Campbell said the "ship has sailed" on him coming back: "Here's what I know about Frank: If Frank really wanted to (play), he would be blowing my phone up, and I haven't gotten a text yet," Campbell said in an interview on 97.1 The Ticket's "Costa & Jansen with Heather" show. "So, I think Frank is feeling good about his decision. Look, they just had another baby, so, happy for them."

Ragnow has appeared in and started 96 games in his career, with all but 16 of those contests coming at center; he played left guard his rookie year. Ragnow is a four-time Pro Bowler and was a second-team All-Pro in 2020, 2023 and 2024. The Lions used the 20th overall pick in 2018 to draft Ragnow, who spent four seasons at Arkansas and was a two-time All-American.

"This is awesome for the Lions, can't wait to watch Frank back out there doing his thing!" former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce said on social media.

As is standard when a player comes out of retirement, Ragnow's preexisting contract will be in effect, according to ESPN. When Ragnow retired, he had two years remaining on a four-year, $54 million extension signed in 2021.