One of the main questions heading into this season was how the Detroit Lions would handle reworking their interior offensive line.

They were already preparing to start two new guards when veteran center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement. Early in camp, the Lions experimented with moving rookie Tate Ratledge to center. But after the first week, they shifted Graham Glasgow to the middle and haven’t looked back since.

There were growing pains, including a communication breakdown in the opener against Green Bay. Yet both Christian Mahogany and Ratledge have shown major upside, with Glasgow acting as the steady veteran presence guiding the revamped front.

“I love Graham. Graham’s consistent every single day,” coach Dan Campbell said. “He just says, ‘What do you need, I’ve got it.’ He’s been a total pro — smart, experienced, powerful, and reliable. I think he’s really settled things down inside. He’s been a huge help to those two young guards, and so have (Taylor) Decker and (Penei) Sewell.

“But I told those young guys this — they’re not young anymore. That’s over. We’re halfway through the season; they’re veterans now. They’re expected to play at a high level and keep improving every week. And they are. Graham was the right move in the middle. He’s really stabilized us up front.”

Campbell credited Mahogany and Ratledge for maturing quickly. Still, the expectations for Detroit’s offensive line remain sky-high, as the team strives to stay among the league’s best.

“There’s still a lot of work to do and they know that. There’s so much room to grow, and I expect them to take another step — they have to,” Campbell said. “They understand that when they elevate, the whole unit improves.

“But from where we started in Green Bay, they’ve made real progress. I like their direction. We’ve just got to keep building.”

Aside from the rough opener, Pro Football Focus ranks Ratledge 22nd and Mahogany 29th among guards with enough snaps to qualify. Ratledge has allowed just one sack and seven pressures, while Mahogany has yet to surrender a sack and given up only four pressures.

Ratledge has grown into his role, creating a punishing double-team with Sewell in the run game. Mahogany has provided steady play on the left side despite Detroit starting three different left tackles through seven games as Decker manages shoulder issues.

The Lions’ rushing attack and third-down efficiency have dipped from last year’s elite numbers. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have each had big performances, but the overall consistency hasn’t matched 2024’s standard.

Detroit believes their extra focus on third-down execution during the bye week — and continued growth from their young guards — will push the offense forward.

“They’re exactly where we want them right now,” offensive line coach Hank Fraley said before the bye. “They’re not where they want to be career-wise yet, but that’ll come. They’re still writing their first chapter, and each game adds a new page.

“But I love their effort. They play with intensity. I always call Christian a dirtbag — and that’s what I want in my guards: tough, nasty, physical guys who love contact. They fit that mold perfectly, and in this league, that’s what you need.”

Fraley emphasized that Mahogany and Ratledge are progressing in the right direction, which is exactly what Detroit hoped for heading into Week 8.

“We’re not perfect,” Fraley said. “But we’re getting there.”