The frightening part is that they accomplished this with one of the league’s five youngest rosters, and the majority of their star players are still bound to contracts for the upcoming campaign. This team appears to be set up for a successful campaign the next year.
However, turnover is a given in the NFL, which made their 34-31 loss to the 49ers in the NFC championship game all the more painful. That concluded a unique squad that guided Detroit to one of the most unforgettable seasons in the history of the team.This offseason, Ragnow will “figure out” his health.
Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions has undoubtedly earned some much-needed rest and relaxation.
The Lions’ All-Pro center told reporters on Monday during the team’s locker room clean-out that he wasn’t sure if the injuries he sustained during the season will require surgery this offseason.
He murmured, “I have to figure everything out.” “We landed at 5 a.m. (after the 49ers game) and now I’m just trying to process everything and take a look at my body and my MRIs and figure everything out.”
Despite battling knee and ankle problems throughout the playoffs, Ragnow was able to participate in every offensive play.
Ragnow also endured a toe problem that is incurable during play in addition to those injuries to his knee and ankle. He has been coping with that injury for almost three years, and this year’s report also mentioned a back problem.
“It wears you out,” Ragnow remarked. “I don’t regret anything, but it really wears you down. I need to find a way to get back to Frank. I’m just going to take some time to really figure everything out to make sure that I’m feeling good, not just for myself as a football player, but also for me to be the best husband and father and everything.”
Playing through discomfort is one thing, but Ragnow’s continued success as an All-Pro player just emphasizes what a warrior he is and has been for the Lions since being selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
All season, he gave up just one sack and six quarterback hits, and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the NFL’s second-best run-blocking center. As the site’s top-ranked center overall, Ragnow is regarded as the best center in football and has been selected to three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams.
In Detroit, Jared Goff has become something of a cult figure during the Lions’ postseason run.
Jar-red Goff, Jar-ed Goff, became viral after leading Detroit to their first NFC North triumph in thirty years and then two home playoff victories. The chant spread throughout Michigan, including to Red Wings games and even to the Detroit Opera House.
One day after Detroit’s loss in the NFC Championship Game, Goff said on Monday, “The last three weeks, or however long, it’s really been longer than that, but since the playoffs started and we were able to win that (Rams) game at home and to see the fan’s response, not only for me, but for the whole team, is special.”
“It’s something I’ll never forget, obviously. I know the end of the season didn’t end how we hoped. Last night was disappointing. But those two home games in the playoffs were as special and electric an environment as you can imagine, and it was a lot of fun.”
Goff had a fantastic game in the 49ers’ defeat, but he is in no way to blame for the Lions’ lack of participation in their first-ever Super Bowl in two weeks. Detroit would never have come within one victory of the Super Bowl if it weren’t for Goff’s performance throughout the season, especially in the postseason.
The eight-year veteran’s contract is up in one year, but the organization may approach him and his agent in the offseason to secure a much-needed raise and extension. When asked if he would rather be in Detroit in the long run, Goff replied that he has no preference.
“In regard to my future, it’s not up to me,” he stated. “I adore this location. We’ll have to wait and see what transpires.
It’s difficult to gain the respect and approval of his coaches, players, and the hardworking, blue-collar people of Detroit. It must be acquired with talent, perseverance, and guts. Throughout the entire season, Goff demonstrated that.
Goff has proven himself as the starting quarterback for the foreseeable future by performing at a Pro Bowl caliber over the past two seasons.
“I’ve loved every second of my time here and would love more,” Goff stated. “Once more, I adore Dan, as well as my teammates and the players here. Yes, getting an extension would be fantastic, but that’s not up to me.”
