The Detroit Lions received a major boost to their offense on Wednesday as four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow came out of retirement to rejoin the team, aiming to bolster their playoff chances. Ragnow, 29, had initially retired in June, citing health concerns, but has now returned to the Lions, confirmed by the team’s social media post showing him running out of the tunnel.
Ragnow had spent his entire seven-year career with the Lions after being drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Following the 2021 season, Lions general manager Brad Holmes made Ragnow the league’s highest-paid center with a four-year, $54 million contract. Despite battling injuries, Ragnow made the Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons after signing the contract and remains one of the best centers in the sport. The contract he signed runs through the 2026 season, so when he returns to Detroit, his deal remains in place.
Ragnow’s return is a huge boost to the 7–4 Lions, who are currently third in the NFC North. It is unclear when Ragnow will make his 2025 season debut, but his rejoining is a significant move for the team. The Lions play the Packers at 1 p.m. ET tomorrow on FOX, and his return is crucial for their upcoming games.