The Detroit Lions face a significant challenge following the retirement of Frank Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowl and three-time Second-Team All-Pro center. As organized team activities (OTAs) conclude and training camp approaches, the team urgently needs a reliable replacement for this crucial position. The Lions have begun evaluating the offensive line’s future with Ragnow absent from offseason workouts, leading to Graham Glasgow and Tate Ratledge receiving first-team center reps during the media-accessible OTAs last week. Regardless of the Lions’ center selection, the interior offensive line will undoubtedly look different in 2025. Beyond Ragnow’s departure, last year’s starting guard, Kevin Zeitler, has moved on to sign with the Tennessee Titans, creating further instability. Looking ahead, Tate Ratledge represents a potential long-term solution, though his college experience was exclusively as a guard, requiring time to master the complexities of the center position. Consequently, Graham Glasgow appears the most immediate option, leveraging his experience and understanding of the offensive scheme. Glasgow, entering his 10th NFL season, has already filled Ragnow’s role during the past two seasons, demonstrating the ability to pilot the offensive line and effectively handle protection calls.

However, a concerning trend emerged last season, with an overall offensive grade of 75.1 decreasing to 57.9 via Pro Football Focus. His run-blocking grade dropped significantly from 82.1 in 2023 to 57.8 last year, highlighting a potential regression. It’s important to remember that Frank Ragnow was widely considered the league’s best run-blocking center during the 2023 season, underscoring the pivotal role of the center in the Lions’ highly effective run game. Notably, Ragnow’s durability has been a consistent strength over the last three seasons, with him missing only one regular season game. This resilience – his ability to play through injuries – was a defining characteristic of his game. His communication and collaboration with quarterback Jared Goff could be a critical factor, particularly given his prior experience in this role. An intensive offseason dedicated to the center position could significantly benefit Glasgow, potentially allowing him to perform at a high level.

Ultimately, Glasgow must return to the form he displayed in 2023 and demonstrate that last season’s struggles were simply a temporary setback. While Ratledge may be better suited for the center position long-term, Glasgow’s experience and familiarity with the offensive scheme make him a viable and trustworthy option for the Lions. The team can reasonably expect Glasgow to take over for Ragnow, and in a best-case scenario, he will demonstrate the capability to hold the position throughout the season. This would then allow Ratledge to continue playing his natural position as a guard, with the potential for him to assume the center role in 2025.

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