While former Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow leaves behind several awards and respect, how much money did he make during his NFL career?
While love of the game of football plays a role in motivation, the paycheck also means a great deal. For an offensive lineman, the healthy salary is justified compensation for years of legal physical violence at the line of scrimmage.
When an offensive lineman cashes a seven-figure check, no one bats an eye. Due to what they must do regularly, they earn as much money as any NFL franchise appears willing to provide.
How Much Money Did Former Lions C Frank Ragnow Make?
When NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Ragnow announced his retirement, a collective gasp fell over the league. Additionally, interior defensive linemen in the NFC North cheered. The four-time Pro Bowler played seven seasons in the Motor City. Starting off his career playing on four consecutive teams that lost ten or more games had to drain the exuberance out of just about any player.
Yet, when head coach Dan Campbell started to turn things around, you could see the light turn on, and the team woke up. In the last two seasons, Detroit has a 27-7 regular-season record.
Sources: #Lions All-Pro and Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, one of the game’s best, has informed the team he plans to retire. A stellar career comes to a close. pic.twitter.com/8ByDj2nqe0
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 2, 2025
Furthermore, once a laughingstock, their offense transformed into a formidable machine, with Ragnow leading the way. For his efforts, the team rewarded him handsomely. Ragnow became not only a fan favorite and a beloved teammate, but the head coach also showed an affinity for the player, according to Larry Brown Sports.
As the 20th-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Detroit immediately saw his potential. During his tenure at Arkansas, Ragnow played 2,603 snaps as a Razorback and did not surrender a single sack. Ragnow signed a four-year deal worth $11.76 million, with $6.6 million as a signing bonus.
In 2021, just months after his first Pro Bowl nod, the Lions exercised his fifth-year option. According to Spotrac, the center signed a four-year extension with Detroit for $54 million in the same year. That number includes $6 million as a signing bonus and $42 million in guaranteed cash.
At the time, that contract made him the highest-paid center in the league. Since then, Creed Humphrey (Kansas City Chiefs, $18 million per year), Cam Jurgens (Philadelphia Eagles, $17 million), and Drew Dalman (Chicago Bears, $14 million) have surpassed Ragnow on the list.
Ragnow earned exactly $57,484,930 as an NFL player. For seven seasons, the Lions enjoyed one of the better blockers of the past decade at center.