By the end of last season, Frank Ragnow’s listing on the injury report might have required a breathe to get through (toe/ankle/knee/back). So after the NFC Championship Game loss to the 49ers, it wasn’t surprising to hear the Lions’ three-time Pro Bowl center plainly take accounting of all the ailments he dealt with. Light speculation about retirement followed, which he quickly squashed at NFL Honors.
But it’s fair to say some years have been taken off Ragnow’s career. Entering his seventh season and nearing 28 years old (May 17), he’s probably not going to play until he’s 35. It may become a year-to-year proposition to keep playing, though he is under contract for three more years.
In a big picture sense, the Lions have to be considering how they’ll eventually replace Ragnow. Keeping one of the league’s best offensive lines strong as some guys age out will be a priority, and a potential successor at guard came via the draft (Christian Mahogany).
Will a UDFA become Frank Ragnow’s successor?
The Lions did not draft a center, or someone who could play center. They did sign three undrafted free agent centers though: Duke Clemens, Bryan Hudson and Kingsley Eguakun. Clemens and Eguakun got notable guaranteed money.
