There was speculation about Frank Ragnow’s future when he said that he “needed some time to figure things out” following their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, but during the most recent NFL Honors event, he said that he’ll be playing for at least one more season.
“I’m not retiring,” Ragnow said. “I just need a few weeks to get healthy.”
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This is great news for the Detroit Lions since Frank Ragnow has not only become the team’s franchise cornerstone over the years but arguably the best center in the NFL.
Frank Ragnow’s taxing 2023 campaign
Frank Ragnow essentially played through pain throughout the season. At the start of 2023, the Arkansas product has been dealing with an inoperable toe injury.
At various times this season, he also dealt with back, knee, and ankle problems, including painful knee and ankle sprains he endured during their Divisional Round victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Championship Game.
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“It takes a toll on you,” said Ragnow last January. “It really takes a toll on you, so I need to find a way to get back to Frank, and I don’t regret any of this at all.
“But it weighs on you, and I’m just going to take some time and really figure everything out and make sure that I’m feeling good, not only for me the football player but for me to be the best husband and father and everything with that as well,” he added.
However, that didn’t stop him from being selected for the Pro Bowl Games for the third time in his NFL career. Ragnow deserved the recognition since he only allowed one sack and six quarterback hits all season and was graded as the second-best run-blocking center by Pro Football Focus.
The Detroit Lions have huge respect for Frank Ragnow
The Detroit Lions’ upper management sees Frank Ragnow as a role model for the squad because of his warrior-like mentality, which is why they’re happy upon learning that their franchise cornerstone isn’t hanging up his cleats.
“I have so much respect for him and for everything that he goes through and fights through, that I’m just respectful of his time and his thoughts,” said Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes.
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Ragnow is still under contract for the next three years in Detroit, but both parties are going to take it one season at a time.
