Report: Detroit Lions pick up Frank Ragnow’s fifth-year option

The Detroit Lions have exercised center Frank Ragnow’s fifth-year option, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and later confirmed by Kyle Meinke of MLive. This move keeps Ragnow under contract through the 2022 season and gives the Lions some breathing room should they decide to enter negotiations for a contract extension.

Picking up Ragnow’s fifth-year option was a no-brainer for the Lions. The 2018 first-round pick notched his first Pro Bowl last year and was also named second-team All-Pro. His 80.3 PFF grade was second among all NFL centers.

The fifth-year option for Ragnow is worth $12.7 million in 2022 due to a new rule in the collective bargaining agreement. Because of his Pro Bowl honor, Ragnow is in the second-highest tier of 2018 first-round picks, setting his salary at that fixed number. Another change is that the fifth-year salary is now fully guaranteed for Ragnow, whereas in the past, the Lions could choose to release a player after exercising the fifth-year option and not incur any dead cap from the salary.

Of course, given Ragnow’s level of play, the Lions likely have no problem locking in Ragnow to a $12.7 million salary for 2022, as he has quickly become one of the best centers in football.