Frank Ragnow
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 15: Frank Ragnow #77 of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on September 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions are facing backlash after news surfaced about their treatment of now-retired three-time All-Pro Lions C Frank Ragnow. After putting together one of the best seasons of his career in 2024, Ragnow surprised many by retiring before the 2025 season. Detroit’s offensive line took a hit as a result, and now some information on how the Lions treated him has come to light.
A former first-round pick by the Lions out of Arkansas in 2018, Ragnow started every game he played in a Lions uniform. He was named an All-Pro three times and was a four-time Pro Bowler. Despite his professional career lasting just seven seasons, it’s safe to say Ragnow is one of the most decorated players in Detroit franchise history.
That just makes this all the more upsetting to Lions fans, given what he meant to their franchise.
Why the Detroit Lions are Facing Backlash for a Decision Regarding Frank Ragnow
Jared Goff and Frank Ragnow
GettySANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions shakes hands with Frank Ragnow #77 before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 30, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that after he retired last summer, the Lions made Ragnow repay “a portion” of his signing bonus. Lions president Rod Wood defended this decision to Birkett.
“Our precedent goes all the way back to Barry Sanders,” Wood said. “And if Barry Sanders paid back money…. And I think the reality is, they’re not paying back their money, they’re returning our money. Cause they were paid in advance for services that they hadn’t completed.”
“You can argue when does that statue of limitations expire, if that’s the right way to put it,” Wood continued. “Clearly, if we signed, let’s use [Jahmyr] Gibbs. We sign Gibbs to a contract tomorrow and we give him a $20 million signing bonus and he retires on Friday, are we entitled to the $20 million back?”
Wood’s argument falls apart for two reasons, however. First, he made up a scenario in which they sign Gibbs to a contract with a big signing bonus and he promptly retires of a few days later. Except that’s not at all what happened with Ragnow — he did retire with two years remaining on his contract, but he’d already played out four years of a major extension signed in 2021.
Additionally, the Lions are the exception here, not the rule. Most teams don’t demand players repay signing bonuses except in rare cases where they feel there was a breach of contract. Retirements don’t usually fall into that category. The Lions are consistent in that they ask all their players to do this, stars included, but most teams don’t demand their money back from players.
The Detroit Lions Could Look to Add to Their Offensive Line Early in the Draft
Speaking of Ragnow, the Lions never really recovered from his retirement. Detroit’s offensive line struggled in 2025, and now they go into 2026 with another hole at left tackle.
Thankfully, with the Lions picking at No. 17, they have options in the first round of the draft. Players like Utah OT Spencer Fano, Georgia OT Monroe Freeling, and Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane could be perfect fits if they fall to Detroit’s pick.