The Detroit Lions lost star center Frank Ragnow to retirement on Monday after Ragnow announced his body was not holding up the way he wanted it this spring.
Ragnow, who battled injuries for several years en route to four Pro Bowl appearances with Detroit since he was drafted out of Arkansas in 2018, will leave a big hole in the middle of Detroit's line as he departs for retirement.
On Monday, Lions insider Nolan Bianchi revealed the latest intel surrounding Detroit's potential replacement for Ragnow as he shared comments from offensive line coach Hank Fraley.
"It's going to become natural for him," Fraley said of Ratledge playing center this season.
"I thought what he did in rookie minicamp was pretty good...In time, he's going to get it down and become a pretty good center here."
Ratledge was selected in the second round out of Georgia after a solid career with coach Kirby Smart's Bulldogs.
He reportedly may have a "long way to go" according to Bianchi, who added the full text of Fraley's comments.
Here's the full quote from Fraley.
Still a long way to go, but sounds like they like the idea of him eventually sticking there pic.twitter.com/pDbgHaZNjH— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) June 2, 2025
Bianchi was asked if the Lions' organization knew about Ragnow's impending exit stage left from the Lions due to injuries, to which he offered a response on Monday.
"I'd imagine they've known he's been considering it for a while," Bianchi said.
"Think Campbell has a pretty good idea what he's gone through and assume they've gauged where his head (is) at quite frequently."
Ratledge was taken with the 57th overall pick and now must mature in a hurry for Detroit to continue its winning ways along the offensive line.
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