Detroit Lions 'not going to pressure' Pro Bowl C Frank Ragnow into decision about future
Frank Ragnow said he needed some time to "figure everything out" this offseason, and the Detroit Lions are willing to give it to him.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes said Monday he won't rush Ragnow into any decision about playing in 2024 after the Pro Bowl center said last week he was contemplating his future.
"I have so much respect for him and for everything that he goes through and fights through that I’m just respectful of his time and his thoughts," Holmes said at his end-of-season news conference Monday. "We’re not going to pressure him to do anything or make any moves, but the communication will be diligent, it’ll be thorough, it’ll be respectful."
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Ragnow never mentioned retirement as a possibility, but he left many wondering how many years he has left after he made cryptic comments during locker clean out after the Lions' NFC championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Ragnow has dealt with recurring toe problems for three seasons and played this year through toe, ankle, knee and back pains. He missed two games with injuries this season, but played through a sprained knee in the playoffs and typically missed one day of practice a week in the regular season.
"It takes a toll on you," Ragnow said last week. "It really takes a toll on you, so I need to find a way to get back to Frank and I don’t regret any of this at all, but it weighs on you and I’m just going to take some time and really figure everything out to make sure that I’m feeling good, not only for me the football player but for me to be the best husband and best father and everything with that as well."
Ragnow has anchored one of the NFL's best offensive lines the past few seasons, and Holmes said it is "extremely important" the Lions keep that unit a strength going forward.
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Along with Ragnow's uncertain future, starting guards Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow are pending free agents, and left tackle Taylor Decker is entering the final year of his contract.
All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell has one year left on his rookie contract, plus a team option for 2025, and is line for an extension that could make him the highest-paid offensive tackle in the game.
Glasgow and Jackson have said they hope to stay with the Lions long-term, and Glasgow said the Lions have told him they would "like me to come back."
"That’s what our team is," Holmes said. "I mean, our offensive line, us being able to protect the quarterback and run the football like we do, that’s extremely important. And so, that’s definitely going to be one that — that’ll be an area that will not be overlooked. As good as it has been in the past, just those points that you’ve raised, it’s definitely going to be a point of emphasis still.”
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions 'not going to pressure' Frank Ragnow about future
