It appears there is a chance that the Detroit Lions could lose their starting center, Frank Ragnow, after the 2024 campaign.
According to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, the 2024 season could be Ragnow's last, as sources are telling him the three-time Pro Bowl center could retire following this coming season.
"Sources tell me this could be Ragnow’s final season, and he may retire once the Lions' campaign in 2024 is completed," Pauline wrote.
Ragnow will turn 28 in May, but he has played through injuries over the years, including a toe issue that he once called "kind of inoperable."
When asked about retirement following last season, Ragnow shot it down and made it clear he's playing in 2024. However, comments about the toll injuries have taken on him lend to the idea that retirement could be on the table in the near future.
“It takes a toll on you,” Ragnow said of his injuries, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “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, who has two more years on his current contract after 2024, is one of the premier centers in the NFL, so losing him would be a massive blow. The Lions need to start planning for something like that, and that's why taking a center is definitely on the table in the 2024 NFL Draft.
