Another Detroit Lions player made a surprise announcement regarding his retirement in his first formal statement.
Following their defeat in the NFC Championship Game, the Detroit Lions quickly found out that Ben Johnson, their offensive coordinator, will be back in 2024. Frank Ragnow, an All-Pro center, had no idea what his future held until recently.
Ragnow, who turns 28 in May, had a stellar season and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the third time and named to the All-Pro team twice. Even though he struggled with injuries this past season, Detroit wasn’t positive if their offensive line leader would be back in 2024.
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Before the NFC Championship, Detroit listed Ragnow’s injuries on the official injury report as include toe, ankle, knee, and bag. Although he was able to play through the agony, the problems were far more serious than had been made public.
Ragnow battled through excruciating pain and discomfort this past fall and throughout the postseason after battling a “inoperable” toe ailment the previous season. One of the reasons the club was willing to be patient and let him make his own decisions about his future was the expectation that the injuries he sustained would have long-term effects after he leaves football.
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Frank Ragnow informed reporters during his appearance at the NFL Honors Awards on Thursday that he will still play for the Lions in 2024 and is not planning to retire.
“I just need a few weeks to get healthy; I’m not retiring.”
NFL history suggests that the Detroit Lions won’t be returning as Super Bowl contenders; center Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions talks about his ambitions for the 2024 season.
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Frank Ragnow contract: 2024 cap of $12.8 million, 2025 cap of $14.05 million
For Detroit’s attack, Ragnow’s return is equally as significant as Johnson’s decision to stay on as offensive coordinator for a another season. Keeping him on one of the finest offensive lines in the league is essential to Detroit’s success because he was perhaps the best center in the league the previous season.
But much as with Johnson, Detroit will have to start preparing for life beyond Ragnow. Given that he has already suffered from injuries and that he at least briefly considered retiring this summer, it is plausible to assume that he will retire from football by 2026.
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