The Detroit Lions capped off a remarkable 2024 regular season with a franchise-best 15–2 record, securing their second straight NFC North championship under head coach Dan Campbell. They dominated on both sides of the ball, finishing first in the NFL in points scored (564, averaging 33.2 per game) and seventh in points allowed (342, or 20.1 per game), resulting in a league-best point differential of +222.
A key figure in the Lions’ success was veteran center Frank Ragnow, who stunned fans by announcing his retirement on Monday at just 29 years old. Ragnow, a crucial part of Detroit’s offensive line, received heartfelt messages from teammates, including quarterback Jared Goff. Goff reshared Ragnow’s retirement post on Instagram, adding, “THE GREATEST ❤️.”
Selected 20th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Arkansas, Ragnow developed into a cornerstone of the Lions’ offense. Over his career, he started every one of his 96 games, earned four Pro Bowl selections (2020, 2022–2024), and was named second-team All-Pro three times (2020, 2023, 2024). His exceptional performance in both run blocking and pass protection was instrumental in Detroit’s offensive dominance.
Quarterback Jared Goff also had a career-best season in 2024. He threw for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns while completing 72.4% of his passes—ranking him among the league’s top five in all three categories. Originally the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2016, Goff has revived his career in Detroit. He helped lead the team to its first playoff win since 1991 and an NFC Championship Game appearance in the 2023-24 season. His standout 2024 campaign earned him a fourth Pro Bowl nod and included an NFL record-setting performance in Week 4, where he completed all 18 of his pass attempts (minimum 11 attempts) in a blowout victory over Seattle.
As the team looks toward 2025, replacing a player of Ragnow’s caliber will be a challenge, and his retirement leaves a significant void on the offensive line. However, the Lions’ leadership and rising stars remain committed to building on their recent success.
