The Philadelphia Eagles have already said goodbye to one of their Super Bowl heroes this offseason. Now, they have to say goodbye to another.
Ronald Darby, the starting cornerback for the Eagles through 2017-2019, has announced his retirement from the NFL after a 10-year career for teams like the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, and Washington Commanders.
Philadelphia traded for the former second-round pick out of Florida State weeks before the start of the 2017 season. They made the move to bolster their secondary by trading away fan favorite receiver Jordan Matthews.
Darby hasn't been a member of the Eagles over the last five seasons, though. There is another retirement announcement that greatly affects their title defense.
Frank Ragnow, the All-Pro center of the Detroit Lions, announced his retirement from the league after seven seasons with the team. Ragnow is only 29 years old … but physically done with the game, he says.
Detroit has lost a ton of coaches this offseason. They saw both play-calling coordinators leave for head coaching positions, and now have lost a vital part of their offensive line.
An Eagles fan wish? The Lions should take a step back next season.
Ragnow's departure might confirm that.
Philadelphia may have finished second to Detroit in the NFC standings last season, but many picked the two teams to be among the most talented teams in the sport.
While Philadelphia has lost plenty of stars on their roster, they don't come close to the kind of impact that Ragnow had.
Ragnow and Darby. Two players that affect the Eagles in more than one ways. One's retirement comes as he is seen as a hero for the city. … The other's may just give the Eagles an easier chance to repeat in 2025.