Lions secure long-term vision with Frank Ragnow extension

The Detroit Lions locked up center Frank Ragnow to a lucrative, long-term extension, a move that fits snugly into the clear vision for this rebuild.

Trading Matthew Stafford this offseason signified a new era for the Detroit Lions, something only furthered by bringing in new head coach Dan Campbell. But that new era also seemed synonymous with the start of a rebuild in the Motor City as well, even while the team will be busy biting kneecaps.

It remains to be seen if the long-term future of the Lions will include Jared Goff, who came to Detroit as part of the Stafford deal. After Thursday, though, we know for certain that former first-round pick, center Frank Ragnow, will remain the player snapping to Goff or any future quarterback for this franchise.

As reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions locked up Ragnow to a four-year contract extension worth $13.5 million per year. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo also noted that the deal includes $42 million in total guarantees, making the deal a record-setter for the center position.

The deal makes complete sense, though. Ragnow has been a stalwart on the Detroit offensive line since they drafted him and keeping him was critical to the functionality of the offense moving forward. All told, though, the extension also points to how this organization will rebuild.

The Detroit Lions rebuild is starting in the trenches and Frank Ragnow is the glue to hold it together.

Extending Frank Ragnow comes one week after the Lions used the No. 8 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to select Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. That now gives them a line that goes from Sewell and Taylor Decker on the edges with Ragnow in the center, all of whom were first-round picks. Moreover, Detroit has a strong collection of quality guard options to supplement this.

With the offensive line secure, the Lions also used the rest of their draft capital to secure a slew of tough-minded players who love to be physical, specifically in the trenches with defensive tackles Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill being taken in the second and third round.

It’s becoming abundantly clear that Detroit, no doubt under the watch of the tough-spirited Campbell, are building through the trenches and are trying to build a culture. This is a team that wants to set the cornerstones for the franchise before trying to make a big splash at quarterback or otherwise.

Whether or not these players turn into superstars — Ragnow aside — remains to be seen. However, the vision of the Lions is obvious at this point. And, if nothing else, operating with a plan at the start of a rebuild is cause for optimism in Detroit.