The Detroit Lions have spent the past few seasons building one of the NFL’s most fearsome offensive lines — a foundation that helped power their rise from bottom-dwellers to postseason contenders. But that once-mighty wall is suddenly showing cracks, and fans are right to worry.
In a stunning offseason turn, All-Pro center Frank Ragnow has officially announced his retirement from the NFL, citing ongoing foot and toe injuries that have plagued him for years. Just days later, veteran guard Kevin Zeitler confirmed he won’t be returning for the 2025 campaign, opting instead to walk away after 13 grueling seasons in the trenches.
The double departure leaves a gaping void in the heart of Detroit’s offensive line — a unit that was once the envy of the league.
Ragnow, just 29, was widely considered the glue that held the line together. Known for his intelligence, grit, and leadership, he was the anchor of the Lions’ offense, responsible for setting protections and keeping Jared Goff upright during two deep playoff runs. Losing him, especially at the peak of his powers, is a gut punch.
“I’ve given everything I had to this team, this game,” Ragnow said in an emotional farewell press conference. “But my body’s telling me it’s time. I’ll always be a Lion, but I need to start listening to what’s best for my future.”
Zeitler’s exit adds salt to the wound. Brought in as a steady veteran presence, he delivered in spades, bringing physicality and consistency to Detroit’s right guard spot. But at 35, Zeitler has nothing left to prove — and little motivation to risk injury as the league gets faster and more violent every year.
Together, their departures raise serious questions about the future of the Lions’ offense. Can Detroit rebuild the line quickly enough to keep its championship window open? Who steps up to replace two of the most reliable players in the locker room? And will Goff, already dealing with emotional flashbacks to his LA exit, now have to survive under pressure again?
GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell are staying optimistic, pointing to young talent like Graham Barton, the team’s first-round pick out of Duke, and returning starters Penei Sewell and Jonah Jackson. But even they know that chemistry and cohesion on the line don’t come overnight.
“You can’t just snap your fingers and replace guys like Frank and Kevin,” Campbell admitted. “We’re gonna have to grind, get physical in camp, and find out what kind of fight this new group has in them.”
The Lions shocked the NFL world last season by making a deep playoff run and finally shaking off decades of mediocrity. But with two massive losses up front, they now face a new kind of adversity — the kind that tests culture, character, and depth.
Detroit fans aren’t panicking yet. But the fortress has been breached. And in the unforgiving NFC, there won’t be any time to rebuild slowly.