Just 3 Lions remain from pre-Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell era after Ragnow retirement
The Detroit Lions are saying goodbye to one of their longest-tenured players in center Frank Ragnow.
Ragnow announced his retirement on Monday, bringing the franchise closer to fully phasing out the previous management regime's players -- for better or worse. Ragnow was one of four remaining players from before Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell took over in Detroit.
These players powered through a lot of losses both with former head coach Matt Patricia and in the first couple of seasons under Dan Campbell. They're now the veterans of the franchise with Ragnow on his way out.
Jack Fox
Jack Fox began his career on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad before the 2019-20 season, but ended that year on the Lions' practice squad. Fox won the starting job at punter to begin the 2020-21 season.
He's since earned First-Team All-Pro, Second-Team All-Pro, and two Pro Bowl appearances for the Lions.
Taylor Decker
The Lions selected Taylor Decker with the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Decker has been a staple of the offensive line that Holmes came in and built around to become the strength of the team.
Decker, like Ragnow, has dealt with a handful of injuries in Detroit but ultimately has managed to stay on the field and anchor the offensive line while the pieces around him were moved around. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2024.
Tom Kennedy
Wide receiver Tom Kennedy has stuck with the Lions despite often moving back and forth between the practice squad and active roster.
Kennedy began his career as an undrafted free agent who signed with the Lions in the 2019 offseason. It wasn't until October 2021 that he received his first NFL catch, though he ended up being waived and re-signed with the practice squad about a month later.
Kennedy signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions in January 2025.
Honorable mentions
Graham Glasgow, Anthony Pittman, and Dan Skipper all began their careers with the Lions prior to the arrival of Holmes and Campbell, but spent time with other franchises before returning to play in Detroit later on.
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