Detroit Lions rookie right guard Tate Ratledge has found himself as a starting offensive linemen for the team after a great camp and brief preseason showing, and now, he's earning the trust of the Lions' top brass to eventually take over at center for the team.
In a press conference following a whirlwind week of cuts, waivings, and practice squad assembly, general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that Ratledge has become their long term solution at center.
As fans know, Ratledge was in a friendly competition with Graham Glasgow in camp for the role of starting center after the shocking retirement of Frank Ragnow. Ratledge looked good at the spot, but the team erred on the side of caution in terms of his development and opted to place Glasgow at starting center, leaving Ratledge at his comfortable position of guard.
But, the team was obviously happy with what they saw from Ratledge in his time trying out for the role, also telling reporters they think his ceiling could be higher at that spot than at right guard.
Ratledge is Lions' future solution at center
Glasgow, who signed with the team back in 2024 on a three year, $20 million dollar contract that extends into 2026, can also play at guard. He could in theory flip over to Ratledge's spot next season if the team wants to start getting Ratledge some burn at center as he develops towards becoming Detroit's starting center of the future.
Ratledge will also still be with the team on a rookie scale deal through 2029, making him a much more logical option at center long term than Glasgow, who will be 35 years old by the time he's a free agent again. The Lions, by then, will have also gotten a look at 2025 draftee Miles Frazier, a guard who will miss the 2025 season after being placed on the PUP list.
Holmes' drafting over the last few years has been stellar, and picking up Ratledge as a versatile offensive linemen who can develop into a strong starter prior to taking over at such a critical position was a great decision. With Ragnow's retirement and the health of Taylor Decker a bit of a question mark, the team can use all the youth they can get on the line to protect Jared Goff in the pocket.
