Vikings Rival Rocked by Wild News
Just when the NFL reached the typical slow time on its calendar, the Detroit Lions were rocked by a June bombshell.
A Vikings rival, the Detroit Lions, had a disadvantageous start to the week and must scramble to find solutions.
Four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro center Frank Ragnow will retire, the veteran lineman announced on Instagram.
The timing is less than ideal for Detroit, with roster construction mostly in the rearview, so the Minnesota Vikings‘ rival must scramble to find a fix.
4-Time Pro Bowl Frank Ragnow Walks Away
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Monday, “Source: Lions All-Pro and Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, one of the game’s best, has informed the team he plans to retire. A stellar career comes to a close.”
Mike Garafolo added, “Rookie Tate Ratledge and veteran Graham Glasgow have been taking reps at center in his absence and would seem to be the leading candidates to replace him at this point.”
Ragnow called her quits at age 29.
Ragnow’s Farewell Message
Ragnow said of his decision on social media: “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. 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 families 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.”
A Summer Bombshell
When NFL operations hit June, there’s generally a moratorium on splashy news until training camps heat up in July.
That is not the case for the Lions, a team that relied on Ragnow for top-notch iOL performance since 2018. Detroit now has about three months to identify and cultivate a starting center, a task of the utmost importance because the Lions remain a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Their Super Bowl window is open, and that may not be the case a few years from now.
In-House Replacements for Ragnow
Garafolo name-dropped Ratledge and Glasgow as would-be Ragnow replacements, and if so, Detroit should be in decent shape.
Ratledge, somewhat ironically, was a frequent mock-draft darling for Vikings fans before those folks learned that Minnesota would pick Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson, a guard, in Round 1 of April’s draft.
Per his scouting report, Ratledge can play guard and center.
Glasgow — who is three years older than Ragnow — has experience here and there at center throughout his long career.
The Free Agent Market
And if Garafolo has it wrong about Ratledge and Glasgow — he probably does not — a few free-agent centers live on the open market. The list might include:
- Daniel Brunskill
- Nick Harris
- Nick Gates
- Sam Mustipher
Former Vikings center Dan Feeney, too, could be an option, but he’s closer to a depth center than a starter.
Lions-Themed Media Reaction
PrideOfDetroit.com‘s Jeremy Reisman wrote about Ragnow’s retirement soon after the announcement: “In a somewhat shocking move, Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow has announced that he’s retiring. The 2018 first-round pick announced on Instagram that he is calling it quits after just seven seasons in the NFL.”
“Ragnow has spent the past few years battling several injuries, including a toe injury that lingered throughout several seasons. Despite the physical struggle, his play on the field always remained top-tier. His career finishes with 96 games played, four Pro Bowls, and three second-team All-Pro designations.”
Ragnow logged an 85.3 grade from Pro Football Focus last season.
Reisman concluded, “The Lions may already have a potential replacement for Ragnow, as second-round pick Tate Ratledge has been taking most of his offseason reps at the center position. However, veteran Graham Glasgow is also capable of playing the position.”
The Lions are a smart franchise — these days, anyway — and should determine a path forward soon.
Vikings Could Have a Controversy Brewing
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