The Detroit Lions have mastered the art of adapting on the fly over the last year. In 2024, they were decimated by injuries, with a new defender hitting the injured reserve list every week. Yet, not only did they survive all the absences, but they also had the best regular season in franchise history. Head coach Dan Campbell somehow found a way to replace all the injured key contributors without sacrificing much of the team's identity.
The 2025 season has to be more of the same for Campbell. During OTAs, the Lions received the unexpected news that longtime starter Frank Ragnow was retiring at the age of 29. One of the best centers in the NFL, Ragnow's absence will certainly be felt. The offensive line was considered one of the deepest and most talented position groups for Detroit, and now the coaching staff has to switch things around after losing one of the best players on the team.
Doing so without missing a beat will be a big challenge. Star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown highlighted how impossible a task this is in his latest remarks, per ESPN's Eric Woodyard.
"I remember he hurt his knee, got surgery and played the next week, so he's a warrior, and you'd like to think he's replaceable, but he's probably irreplaceable."Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown, arguably the best offensive player on the Lions, calling Ragnow "irreplaceable" shows how important the four-time Pro Bowler offensive lineman is.
The Lions certainly have some depth at the position. Graham Glasgow will likely get the first nod at center with rookie Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany starting at guard. With Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell on the outside, this could still be an elite group. However, it is of utmost importance that Glasgow can build a similar chemistry with Jared Goff that Ragnow was able to do over the years. Let's hope that Ragnow doesn't prove to be as "irreplaceable" as St. Brown thinks.