Ever since coming to Detroit in 2021, Dan Campbell has never had to worry about center protection. Frank Ragnow handled it all, from protection calls to pocket peace, giving Jared Goff clean looks and Campbell one less fire to fight. For seven seasons, Ragnow was the Lions’ silent signal-caller, anchoring the line with elite IQ and unmatched trust. But when he retired in June 2025, Detroit lost more than a center. They lost a communicator, a commander, a calming force. Replacing that silent dominance? It’s now Campbell’s most urgent offensive puzzle.

And he has finally solved it. Graham Glasgow has emerged as the clear frontrunner at center through late July. He’s entering his ninth NFL season and has shown steady improvement in camp snaps. In 2024, while shifted to left guard, Glasgow struggled, allowing 36 pressures, giving up four sacks, and seeing his pass‑block grade dip to 57.9, far below his 2023 performance. That raised eyebrows, but this year his shift to center seems to be reigniting his talent.

Since moving inside in July, Glasgow has played first-team snaps consistently. Dan Campbell said it’s looked “pretty dang good” over multiple padded days, and internal metrics show no notable breakdowns during team drills. Opponents haven’t been able to exploit the interior yet; no public pressure numbers have been released, but coaches repeatedly praised the clean reps and Glasgow’s ability to control interior rushers quietly.

That control matters more than flashy blocks. In 2023, Glasgow earned a career-high 75.1 overall grade and posted a PFF run‑blocking grade of 82.1, ranking top five among guards in the NFL. His efficiency allowed just 2 sacks in 614 pass‑block snaps, showing elite consistency. Pivoting back to center plays to his strengths, timing, leadership, snap-to-block tempo, exactly what Jared Goff needs for his rhythm game.

With Glasgow commanding the interior and the line chemistry improving in drills, Dan Campbell appears to have found the glue needed to preserve Goff’s pocket health and protect their high-powered offense. Detroit finished the 2024 season with 15–2, franchise-record wins and the NFC’s top seed. This camp reassures that they remain on the same path in 2025.

In short, Ragnow is gone, but Glasgow is building toward that same calming presence. His 2025 camp tape is solid. His snap accuracy is crisp. And his leadership at the heart of the line seems poised to steady this unit. When Week 1 arrives in Green Bay, Glasgow looks ready to carry the torch, and keep Goff swinging his rhythm. But he will have to adjust his game in the preseason opener.

Dan Campbell reveals 2 players missing for first preseason game

On July 29, Dan Campbell dropped the bombshell. Two rookies, Tate Ratledge and Tyleik Williams, won’t suit up for the preseason opener against the Falcons on August 8. It’s no accident. Both guys are slotted to be Week 1 starters, but Campbell’s opting for caution. That silence from the podium said more than any play chart ever could.

Campbell’s rotating tone softened the blow on July 26. “I think all of those guys need to play in a game. I see them playing,” he said, before pulling back. “Now am I gonna say it’s written in stone? No.” So, they’ll get some exposure. But not enough to risk the season before it even starts.

Tyleik Williams, Detroit’s No. 28 pick in the 2025 Draft, isn’t entering this lightly. He closed his Ohio State career with 46 tackles and 2.5 sacks, earned third‑team All‑Big Ten honors, and clocked a blazing 1.62 10‑yard split at 334 pounds, elite athleticism for his size.

Ratledge, the second-round guard from Georgia, has been splitting snaps at center and guard all camp, learning both roles in real time. He’s a two-time All-American and former CFP national champion. But as of today, his NFL stat sheet reads zeros, no games played or started. And Dan Campbell’s keeping it that way, for now.

Dan Campbell doesn’t play injury roulette, not in July, not ever. So when first-round pick Tyleik Williams was a full participant on July 24, spoke to the media post-practice, and declared himself “100 percent,” only to be completely absent the very next day, it wasn’t just a surprise. It was a flag, one of those quiet, flashing red ones that only football guys like Campbell know how to manage.

This is why Campbell’s in no rush to throw them into a meaningless preseason game. And if it means fans have to wait another week to see No. 69 and No. 91 in live action, so be it.