When Frank Ragnow retired ahead of the 2025 NFL season, the Detroit Lions didn’t just lose a Pro Bowl center — they lost the foundation of their offensive line.

Ragnow was the heartbeat of the trenches. His presence stabilized protections, elevated the run game, and allowed the Lions to play with confidence up front. Replacing a player of that caliber was never realistic.

And one year later, it’s clear the Lions never truly recovered.

Lions’ Offensive Line Collapse After Frank Ragnow’s Retirement

With Graham Glasgow sliding to center, Detroit’s once-dominant offensive line regressed significantly during the 2025 season. While Glasgow wasn’t solely responsible, the ripple effects were impossible to ignore.

The Lions were already thin at guard after:

Losing Kevin Zeitler in free agency

Losing Christian Mahogany to injury

Elite offensive lines are built from the inside out, and Detroit went from one of the best centers in football to one of the weakest.

According to Pro Football Focus, Glasgow ranked 34th out of 40 qualifying centers, earning a 57.4 overall grade.

That’s not a minor drop-off — that’s a free fall.

If the Lions want Jared Goff to succeed and reclaim their physical offensive identity, they can’t afford to ignore center any longer.

Tyler Linderbaum Must Be the Lions’ Top Free-Agent Target

If the opportunity presents itself, the Detroit Lions should aggressively pursue Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum — even if it means paying top dollar.

At just 25 years old, Linderbaum is already a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s premier interior linemen.

Why Linderbaum is a perfect fit in Detroit:

Elite football IQ

Physical and athletic

Nasty in the run game

Reliable in pass protection

Proven leader at the line of scrimmage

Players like this almost never reach the open market.

Why Tyler Linderbaum Could Become Available

The Baltimore Ravens declined Linderbaum’s fifth-year option due to a salary-classification issue. Because centers are grouped with offensive linemen, his projected 2026 option ballooned to $23.4 million.

The same issue applies to the franchise tag.

Translation: keeping Linderbaum won’t be cheap, even for one of the NFL’s smartest front offices.

Baltimore will likely try to retain him long-term, but if negotiations stall — or if the tag situation becomes complicated — the Lions must be ready.

If Linderbaum even briefly reaches free agency, Brad Holmes should act immediately.

No bargain hunting.
No second wave.
No hesitation.

You pay the man.

Why Paying Big for a Center Makes Sense for Detroit

Yes, the Lions are tight against the salary cap.

Extensions for Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff, Aidan Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph, and Jameson Williams have added up. Tough decisions are coming.

But if there’s one area worth spending heavily, it’s the offensive line.

Especially when:

Your quarterback is a timing-and-rhythm passer

Your offensive identity is physical and balanced

Your offense collapsed when the interior line broke down

What Linderbaum Immediately Fixes

Signing Tyler Linderbaum would:

Upgrade interior pass protection

Re-establish the run game

Restore communication and stability

Extend Jared Goff’s effectiveness

Reset the offensive identity

This wouldn’t be a luxury signing.

It would be a franchise-correcting move.

Bottom Line

Maybe the Ravens find a way to keep Tyler Linderbaum, and this never becomes an option.

But if he becomes available — even briefly — the Detroit Lions must treat him like what he is:

A foundational center capable of redefining the offensive line and setting the tone for 2026 and beyond.

If the Lions truly want to get back to dominating in the trenches, the answer is clear:

Break the bank. Fix center. Restore the identity.