Frank Ragnow says attempts to return to the NFL are over

Former Detroit Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow said Friday that he has ended any attempt to return to the NFL, a year after announcing his retirement. He spoke to reporters at his fourth-annual Skeet Shoot Showdown in Lake Orion, Michigan, and said he tried to push himself back toward playing but his body would not respond.

Ragnow, 29, said stepping away was not the plan when he reached the middle of the summer, and described the decision as difficult. He said the mental side was hard at first, but support from his family and a positive reception from fans has helped him settle into retirement.

He said he remained in shape after retiring, which led to a late-November attempt to come back. Ragnow said that effort ended when he failed a physical after Detroit’s medical staff determined he had suffered a Grade 3 hamstring strain.

Ragnow said he was dealing with soreness and did not initially understand the extent of the injury. He said he was hurt a day or two before the evaluation, and later viewed the episode as a lesson in listening to his body.

Injuries and a career that took a cumulative toll

Over seven seasons, Ragnow battled multiple injuries, including a fractured throat in 2021. In 2024, he played 16 games in what became his final season, missing one game with a partially torn pectoral muscle.

Ragnow said the day-to-day discomfort, combined with the reality of family life, ultimately shaped his decision. He said he did not want his comments to be taken as a “sob story,” but framed the choice as weighing whether it was worth continuing to push through pain.

He added that, while he is no longer pursuing a comeback, he has tried to make peace with the process by focusing on the fact that he did make an attempt to return.

Detroit’s offensive line without Ragnow

Without Ragnow, Detroit’s offensive line struggled in 2025 as the team missed the postseason after winning back-to-back NFC North titles. Detroit ranked 20th in run block win rate (70.7%) and 30th in pass block win rate (55.2%) last season, and pass protection in front of quarterback Jared Goff was inconsistent.

Ragnow said he has kept strong ties with former teammates, even if contact with the organization itself has been limited since his failed physical. He has not attended a Lions game since retiring and said there is no bad blood, despite being asked to repay a portion of his 2021 signing bonus after stepping away before his contract expired.

Ragnow said he remains supportive of the Lions and is rooting for the people in the building and on the roster as he moves on from playing.

Ragnow’s comments close the door on a return and leave Detroit’s line plans heading into the next season as a key storyline to watch.