Head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the Detroit Lions had prepared for the chance that Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow might retire this offseason, though the official announcement last Monday came at an inconvenient time.

Ragnow was arguably one of the most indispensable players on the Lions’ roster. The team’s current replacement plan includes a competition among rookie Tate Ratledge, experienced veteran Graham Glasgow, and recent addition Trystan Colon.

If Ratledge doesn’t win the starting job right away while adjusting from college guard duties, he could still develop into Ragnow’s long-term replacement at center. Also in the mix is rookie fifth-rounder Miles Frazier, who shouldn’t be overlooked.

At this point in June, with OTAs and minicamps nearly complete, there aren’t many external options available should the Lions look beyond the roster to fill Ragnow’s spot. Because they’ll open training camp early ahead of the Hall of Fame Game, the team won’t hold a mandatory minicamp, losing extra time to settle on a new center.

NFL.com recently posed a question to their analysts about one trade they’d like to see before the 2025 season. Gennaro Filice used the Ragnow retirement news to propose that Detroit consider trading for Los Angeles Rams center Beaux Limmer.