The Detroit Lions enter the 2026 offseason with one glaring, unavoidable reality:
Frank Ragnow is no longer in the building.
The longtime Pro Bowl center officially retired prior to the 2025 season, leaving a massive leadership and performance void in the middle of the offensive line. While Detroit patched things together with short-term solutions, Brad Holmes knows this isn’t a position you gamble on when you’re trying to keep a Super Bowl window open.
With Jared Goff, Penei Sewell, and a young core locked in, the Lions need a tone-setting, high-IQ center who can anchor protections, handle elite interior rushers, and elevate the run game.
Here are three free-agent centers Holmes should be aggressively evaluating.
1. Tyler Linderbaum (Baltimore Ravens)
If Linderbaum actually hits the open market, every contender in the league will be on the phone.
The former first-round pick has become one of the most technically dominant centers in football. His 97.2% pass-block win rate in 2025 tied for second among all qualifying centers, and his ability to reach linebackers in the run game fits perfectly with Detroit’s wide-zone and counter concepts.
Why he fits Detroit:
- Elite movement skills for screens and outside zone
- Exceptional communication in protection (huge for Goff)
- Young enough (26) to anchor the line for the next 7–8 years
- Would instantly replace Ragnow’s leadership and stability
This would be a statement signing. Expensive, yes — but franchise-defining.
2. Connor McGovern (Buffalo Bills)
McGovern doesn’t get the same hype, but his tape is clean, physical, and reliable.
Like Linderbaum, he posted a 97.2% pass-block win rate in 2025. He’s not flashy, but he’s strong at the point of attack and plays with the type of toughness Dan Campbell loves.
Why he fits Detroit:
- Proven interior anchor against power rushers
- Smart, assignment-sound, low-mistake player
- Likely more affordable than Linderbaum
- Can start immediately without learning curve
Think of McGovern as the “safe but strong” Holmes move — high floor, championship-level reliability.
3. Cade Mays (Carolina Panthers)
Mays isn’t a star, but he’s intriguing.
At 6-foot-6 with heavy hands, he gives Detroit a power-based option who can hold up against bull rushers and collapse defensive fronts in the run game. His 94.3% pass-block win rate ranked 20th among centers, but his size and physical tools would be a natural fit in Detroit’s downhill packages.
Why he fits Detroit:
- Massive frame to replace Ragnow’s strength inside
- Strong in gap schemes and goal-line situations
- Likely a value signing with upside
- Could be paired with a veteran for competition
This would be a Holmes “development plus value” play.
Why Center Is the Lions’ Quiet Emergency
Ragnow wasn’t just a great player — he was the line’s brain.
He set protections, calmed chaos, and allowed Goff to operate pre-snap with confidence. Replacing that isn’t about plugging in a body. It’s about restoring command of the offense.
With Drew Petzing and Mike Kafka now shaping the scheme, the center position becomes even more critical for:
- Protection checks
- Run-game timing
- Tempo control
- Play-action efficiency
Holmes cannot afford a stopgap anymore. This must be a long-term solution.
Bottom Line
Brad Holmes has rebuilt this roster the right way — through the trenches.
With Frank Ragnow retired, center becomes the most important offensive line decision of the 2026 offseason. Whether it’s a blockbuster move like Tyler Linderbaum, a steady veteran like Connor McGovern, or a power option like Cade Mays, Detroit must land a tone-setter who can keep Goff upright and the run game dominant.
This isn’t a luxury need.
It’s a championship requirement.
The post Detroit Lions Free Agency: 3 Centers Brad Holmes MUST Consider in 2026 appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.
