DETROIT — [Frank Ragnow’s decision to unretire and join the Detroit Lions](https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/11/26/frank-ragnow-coming-out-of-retirement-to-rejoin-detroit-lions/87486889007/) for their stretch run of the 2025 season was a massive surprise to everybody.
Except for those who play for and coach the team.
[Lions](https://detroitnews.sports.gracenote.com/football/nfl/team/1) coach Dan Campbell and several members of the team’s offense said they knew it was something Ragnow had been considering for a few weeks now. Ragnow and the Lions announced on Wednesday that Ragnow, who retired from the game last offseason, is returning.
Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker, who’d played with Ragnow since Ragnow entered the league in 2018, said he’s talked to Ragnow about coming out of retirement “a lot” over the last “five to six weeks.”
“He’s one of my best friends, love the guy to death. He was just kind of using me as a soundboard and kind of getting feedback from me. I don’t think I necessarily convinced him, other than the fact that maybe he loves me and he wants to come play with me a little bit more,” Decker said. “I knew it was probably going to happen for probably about a month. I’m just like, ‘Pull the trigger, dude. Come on.’ But I love him to death. I’m happy to have him back.”
Decker didn’t elaborate on Ragnow’s reasoning for a return, saying that he doesn’t want to speak on his behalf.
“I know he has his reasons and he’s talked to me at length about those,” Decker said. “I’m going to respect his autonomy to be able to talk about that himself.”
Campbell said he’s “fired up” to get Ragnow back and didn’t officially get the heads up until Wednesday.
“Now, I know there were other things and, look, his teammates had talked to him,” Campbell said. “I know some of those guys have been back and forth with him, and I got wind of something not too long ago. But hey, we’re fired up. It’s good to get him back.”
Lions quarterback Jared Goff said that Ragnow reached out “a few weeks ago.”
“I didn’t know he was coming back for sure a few weeks ago, but I knew he was interested a few weeks ago,” Goff said. “I’m glad he’s back. That’ll be fun. I don’t know when he’ll end up playing, but I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
Ragnow, 29, was a first-round pick by Detroit in 2018. He played for seven seasons, making four Pro Bowls and earning Second Team All-Pro honors three times.