The Detroit Lions have turned their focus to Week 1 since they have trimmed the roster down to 53 players. They could make a few additions to the roster via trade, free agency, and practice squad additions.
Regardless, the majority of the team is in place, and general manager Brad Holmes spoke with members of the media on Thursday. When discussing the center positions, Holmes revealed that the Lions still view Tate Ratledge as their center long-term.
Holmes says that long term, the Lions still see Ratledge as their center
— Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) August 28, 2025
Lions View Tate Ratledge as Long Term Center
The center position had some movement this offseason after Frank Ragnow retired to prioritize his family and health. During his tenure in the Motor City, he was a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. His departure isn't an easy one, and the Lions have Graham Glasgow as their starting center.
Glasgow has been in Detroit for the last three years and has the versatility to play multiple spots along the interior. While he can be a solid stopgap, it's no shocker that they view Ratledge as their future center.
Throughout the offseason, Detroit has been cross-training Ratledge, allowing him to get some reps at both guard and center. This was different for him, as he started 37 games (39 college games) at right guard during his time at Georgia.
When playing with the Bulldogs, Ratledge used his quickness and control to be an effective run blocker and a puller in the ground attack. He's immediately being plugged into the starting lineup at right guard.
If Glasgow doesn't play well, the Lions could move on from him after the season and only face a $5.8 million dead cap hit in 2026. He's also 33 years old, so it's not like age is on his side. Ratledge was the 57th overall pick for a reason, and Detroit believes his ceiling may be higher at center compared to guard.
It'll be interesting to see how things unfold during the 2025 season. The Lions are still expected to be one of the best offensive lines in the league, and Ratledge is believed to be one of the building blocks up front.