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Lions Coach Issues Telling 8-Word Take on Frank Ragnow's Likely Replacement

Detroit Lions guard Tate Ratledge (69) practices during OTA at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 30, 2025.

Jul 18, 2025 1:14 PM EDT

The Detroit Lions’ 2024 offense was a force to be reckoned with through the season both on the ground and through the air as Jared Goff, David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and others became fan favorites in the Motor City.

This offseason brought with it the retirement of a Lions legend, center Frank Ragnow, who made four Pro Bowls in seven seasons with Detroit and decided to hang up the cleats after battling injuries for most of his career.

The Lions’ offensive line is in good hands with assistant coach Frank Haley returning as their leader for the 2025-26 season.

Fraley shared a take on Ragnow’s possible replacement that encapsulates how he feels about his chances to settle in as next in line behind the former Detroit star.

Second-round pick Tate Ratledge of Georgia is expected to fill in for Ragnow this season, spearheading a youth movement at the position.

“It’s going to be a natural for him,” Fraley said according to the Detroit Free Press.

“Our centers, like across the whole league, they do a lot, they have a lot on their plates.

“They’re like quarterbacks on that O-line. They set a lot of the protections, a lot of the calls and they work one-on-one with the QB. So in time he’s going to get it down and become a pretty good center here.”