ALLEN PARK >> The Detroit Lions knew All-Pro center Frank Ragnow was considering retirement for “a while” and were adamant that his decision had nothing to do with the pursuit of a new contract.

That is all according to head coach Dan Campbell, who spoke to reporters Friday for the first time since Ragnow announced his retirement on Monday. Campbell denied a report that Campbell was looking for a new contract prior to announcing his retirement, and said suggesting otherwise is “disrespectful.”

“That’s not what this ever was about,” Campbell said. “So, anyway. Love you, Frank. Appreciate you.”

Ragnow, 29, blindsided fans and the general public with his retirement announcement earlier this week, but the team was aware he was contemplating the decision. Campbell said he counseled Ragnow as the center went through his process.

“We knew he was contemplating it for a while, but there was never a yes or no or whatever, and we did our best to give him space and let him sort it out, which he did. It was one of things, man,” Campbell said. “You’re going to come to a decision at some point here, we’d certainly like it before the offseason is out. He did, and it was time.

“Listen, whenever you know it’s your time, it is the right time. Because it’s not fair to him, and it’s not fair to his teammates or anybody else. I respect the hell out of him for the decision. It’s not easy to do. It’s not easy to do. But he knows himself. I will always respect that.”

Ragnow, the No. 20 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, played seven seasons in Detroit with 96 total appearances, all starts. He made four Pro Bowls and was named Second Team All-Pro three times, including in 2023 and 2024.

Over his career, he developed a reputation as an iron man and will be remembered as one of the toughest Lions to ever do it. He played through several severe injuries, including a surgically repaired meniscus, a fractured throat and a partially torn pectoral muscle. Ragnow’s only injury-derailed season came in 2021, when a significant bout of turf toe knocked him out for the year after just four games.

“Frank’s been (an) unbelievable teammate, football player, man in the community. Man, he’s done it all,” Campbell said. “He will be sorely missed.”

Ragnow’s significant run of injuries caused many over the years to wonder if he could retire early. Still, the speculation trailed off as Ragnow said entering the offseason that he felt good, relatively speaking. Campbell said Ragnow is coming off “one of the best seasons he ever had” and “the healthiest he’s been in a long time.”

You’re like, ‘Man, this is (good). He’s in his prime right now,’” Campbell said. “But if you’re him — you’ve also got to remember the amount of time and work and details spent on taking care of body, the training. Man, the rehab that he goes into before he even tries. You’re talking about hours, hours and hours.

“(He would think), ‘I need to work on this (for) an hour before I’ve got to train for two hours, then I’ve got to make sure I get the gameplan in. That’s another hour. And then we’ve got to get ready for practice.’ It’s just the physical and mental side of it, man. You’ve got to be of a certain mind frame, and if you feel like you’re not there, the time is right to walk away.”

One of the best examples of Ragnow’s toughness came in the 2023 divisional round, when the Lions topped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to reach their second NFC Championship in franchise history. Running back Craig Reynolds gave Detroit a 17-10 lead in the third quarter on a 1-yard run right behind Ragnow, whose injured leg was brutally rolled up on as he blocked 347-pound defensive tackle Vita Vea.

“It was huge. It’s the type of player that he was,” Campbell said. “I’ve got all the respect for Frank Ragnow. I love him to death.”

Campbell acknowledged Ragnow’s departure is a significant loss but gave a vote of confidence toward the future. The Lions have a number of players who could be tapped to fill Ragnow’s role, including second- round draft pick Tate Ratledge.

“Man, this train goes on. Train rolls on. It’s the next man up, so we will be ready to go when camp hits. We’ll be ready to go. We’ve got plenty of versatility up there. We like the guys we drafted,” Campbell said.