Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes wasn’t sure exactly when center Frank Ragnow would decide to call it a career, but he had a feeling that ongoing injuries were beginning to take their toll on the standout offensive lineman.

Speaking recently on the Green Light Podcast, Holmes discussed his thoughts on the 29-year-old’s retirement and what qualities he values in a center moving forward.

“He’s the absolute best, man, truly the best. When I got this job, I had already evaluated him coming out of college and knew he was special. After I was hired, he was the first player who reached out with a congratulatory text. Just an ultimate warrior,” Holmes told host Chris Long. “A phenomenal human being, and he’s going to be deeply missed in that locker room because he embodied what we stand for. You can’t just plug someone in and replace him—it’s about the person as much as the player.”

In recent years, Ragnow had revealed he was coping with a foot injury that couldn’t be surgically fixed, which naturally led him to contemplate his future in football.

Most weeks, the former Arkansas Razorback spent extensive time in the training room and often missed practice just to be well enough to play each Sunday.

“He’s dealt with a lot, and he’s fought through so much. I never really knew how much longer he could keep going, because the body can only take so much,” Holmes said. “And he’s got a family now. When you think about the long-term, about being a parent, it shifts your priorities. Look, I didn’t even play in the league and I’ve got back problems, trying to keep up with young kids. I can’t just bend to pick them up—I have to squat.”

“So the physical grind those guys face, the wear and tear they deal with—it’s on another level,” Holmes continued. “I respect him so much. I had a slight feeling this might be coming. I wasn’t sure if it would be this season or the next, but those are things you try to anticipate and plan for.”

As the team looks ahead, Detroit’s leadership is seeking a center who’s sharp mentally, strong at holding the point, quick and mobile enough to reach the second level in the run game, and highly instinctive.

“It’s a complex offensive system,” Holmes said. “We’ve got a veteran quarterback who’s allowed a lot of flexibility, so whoever plays center has to keep up and stay sharp, man.”