The Detroit Lions’ offensive line needed to find a starting center since Frank Ragnow announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday. The two leading candidates to replace Ragnow include former Georgia Bulldogs right guard Tate Ratledge and 32-year-old veteran Graham Glasgow. Currently, Ratledge has received first-team reps in OTAs, while Glasgow has worked with the first-team at right guard and the second-team at center.
Also Read: Detroit Lions: Rookie Could Be In Line to Replace 4x Pro Bowler
Since both players will start in 2025, the Lions could use extra depth at center.
The Detroit Lions could be in play for one of the top free-agent centers
Trystan Colon is currently one of the top remaining free-agent centers available. He enters his sixth year in the NFL after spending time with the Baltimore Ravens from 2020 to 2022, a stint with the New York Jets in 2023, and the Arizona Cardinals from 2023 to 2024. Colon has made 15 starts, including four at center with the Ravens.
Trystan Colon saw the most playing time during the 2024 season, initially serving as the backup center and guard. An injury to Will Hernandez allowed him to start at right guard from Weeks 6 to 13, but he lost the starting job to Isaiah Adams for the final five games. Colon ended the year allowing 12 pressures, three quarterback hits, and zero sacks and posted a 71.0 overall PFF grade in 17 games and seven starts.
Detroit Lions add 15-game starter for O-line depth
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Lions have signed Trystan Colon to a one-year deal. He will likely compete for the backup center and swing guard position during the offseason. Colon will likely be the next man up at center if anything were to happen with their original starter.
The #Lions are signing veteran OL Trystan Colon to a one-year deal, source says. The former #Ravens and #AZCardinals guard/center, who started seven games for Arizona last season, joins Detroit after the retirement of Frank Ragnow. pic.twitter.com/8QD8Tlmbo3
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 4, 2025
He will compete against two young centers
Michael Niese will compete for the backup center job. He is on his fourth team and enters his fourth year in the league. Niese served as the third-string center during the 2024 season and played at center in three games during mop-up duty in blowouts, participating in 33 snaps at the position.
Kingsley Eguakun will also compete. He signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2024. During roster cuts, the front office cut Eguakun but re-signed him to the practice squad, where he spent his entire rookie season.
