Two massive x-factors for the Lions in 2025 have been fully revealed

For a few months, the two biggest offseason losses the Detroit Lions had were Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. Both coordinators left for head coaching jobs, as was inevitable to happen at some point, and any player departure paled in comparison.

Then in early-June, four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement. A litany of injuries in his career, particularly a list of ailments during the 2023 season that read like a game of "Operation", were always going to shorten his career. But the announcement was sudden and unexpected, at least publicly as the team was clearly preparing for the possibility he'd retire.

There is obviously no replacing Ragnow, but the Lions are left to try. Second-round pick Tate Ratledge looks like the future at center, if not immediately than almost certainly in 2026. Fifth-round pick Miles Frazier's versatility had him looked at as a possible option to succeed Ragnow, and maybe that ship hasn't completely sailed.

In hindsight matching (or besting) the contract he got from the Tennessee Titans should not have been an issue, but the Lions also lost veteran guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency this offseason. With Graham Glasgow's struggles last season, there could be three different interior starters on the Detroit offensive line in 2025.

With the immobile Jared Goff being as "sensitive" to pressure as he is (h/t to ESPN's Mina Kimes), the Lions can't have much, if any, drop-off in the proficiency of their pass protection on the interior. There will naturally be some regression due to Ragnow being gone and whoever replaces him automatically being worse, but the onus is on offensive line coach Hank Fraley to find the right interior combination in training camp.

2 huge x-factors for the Lions in 2025 are ultimately obvious

The Lions were featured this week in SI.com's "32 Teams in 32 Days" series. There are multiple good options in the "breakout player candidate/x-factor" category, and writer Matt Verderame went with two guys: guard Christian Mahogany, and Ratledge.

"The Lions haven’t had to worry about their offensive line. That all changed this offseason with the surprise retirement of All-Pro center Frank Ragnow and the departure of Kevin Zeitler in free agency." 

"Now, Mahogany and Ratledge are slated to be starters, with only one NFL start between them. The former is a 2024 sixth-round pick, while Ratledge is a second-round rookie from the successful Georgia Bulldogs program. Detroit needs both to be ready now, as the Lions hope to contend once more."

Mahogany actually made two starts as a rookie last season (one at each guard spot), including the playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, and acquitted himself very well. But Verderame's broader point sticks, with the rookie Ratledge projected to start at right guard or center.

Ratledge and Mahogany will, ideally, seamlessly prove themselves to be plenty capable. Otherwise, what has been one of the best offensive lines in the NFL will look notably worse. And that's why they are two huge x-factors for the Lions in 2025.