Frank Ragnow Net Worth in 2025 and Detailed Career Profile

Frank Ragnow is a four-time Pro Bowl center for the Detroit Lions whose net worth at the time of his June 2, 2025 retirement was widely estimated at more than $70 million. Several outlets, drawing on contract and salary databases, have cited a high-end estimate of about $78.7 million, reflecting both his NFL earnings and off-field income.

Ragnow stepped away from football at age 29 because of long-running injury and health concerns, saying he needed to prioritize his body and his family. Just under six months later, in late November 2025, multiple reports confirmed that he is ending his retirement and returning to the Lions, which will add new income on top of the fortune he already built in Detroit.

Frank Ragnow net worth, salary and contract history

Most recent reporting places Frank Ragnow’s 2025 net worth comfortably above $70 million. Hindustan Times, summarizing data from EssentiallySports and SalarySport, notes that his net worth is “more than $70 million” and highlights a specific valuation of $78,734,930 from SalarySport’s contract and earnings model.

Those figures are built on the backbone of his NFL income. Pro Football Network and cap-tracking sites calculate Ragnow’s career NFL earnings at about $57.3 million in salary and bonuses through his first seven seasons, all with the Lions. The larger net worth estimates factor in that on-field cash plus likely investment returns, savings and endorsements, though his private portfolio is not public.

Ragnow’s financial rise began with his rookie deal after Detroit selected him 20th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth about $11.78 million, including more than $9 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of roughly $6.6 million, which set him up early in his career.

His net worth accelerated in 2021 when the Lions made him the highest paid center in the league at the time with a four-year, $54 million extension through 2026, reported with $42 million in guarantees. That deal paid an average of $13.5 million per year and pushed his scheduled cap hits above $14 million for 2025 and more than $16 million for 2026 before his brief retirement.

Salary databases show that by the time he walked away in June 2025, Ragnow had already banked more than $57 million from his Lions contracts, while his total contracted value plus past earnings lined up with the roughly $78.7 million net worth estimate used by several outlets. Those numbers, combined with conservative spending and typical investment returns for high earners, explain how he could realistically sit in the $70 million-plus range even before any post-retirement work.

With his decision to return for the stretch run of the 2025 season, ESPN reports that the Lions will reinstate the final two seasons of his contract. That means Ragnow once again has team-controlled years for 2025 and 2026, putting millions more back on the table and giving his already substantial net worth room to grow if he can stay healthy enough to see out the deal.

Who is Frank Ragnow and how did he build this wealth?

Frank Ragnow was born on May 17, 1996 in Victoria, Minnesota. He became a standout lineman at Arkansas, where he was a two-time All-American and twice earned first-team All-SEC honors as the Razorbacks’ anchor on the interior line.

The Lions drafted him 20th overall in 2018 and immediately plugged him into the starting lineup. After an initial season at left guard, he moved to his natural position at center and evolved into one of the best interior linemen in the NFL, starting all 96 games he has played so far for Detroit.

On the field, his resume is elite for a seven-year veteran. Ragnow has earned four Pro Bowl selections (2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024) and three second-team All-Pro nods (2020, 2023 and 2024), while anchoring one of the league’s most productive offenses. These honors have supported his premium salary level and therefore his high net worth.

His reputation also comes from toughness. Ragnow has played through severe injuries, including what he once described as a fractured throat and chronic turf toe issues that began in 2021. Reports from Reuters and regional outlets note that these lingering problems, along with a partially torn pectoral muscle he gutted through in 2024, were central to his eventual decision to step away in June 2025.

Retirement, comeback and what it means for his future finances

Ragnow announced his retirement on June 2, 2025 in an emotional Instagram post, saying he was not feeling right physically and needed to prioritize his long-term health and his family’s future. News agencies such as Reuters and Hindustan Times described it as a major blow for a Lions team built around its offensive line, but also as a move that freed up significant salary cap space given his large scheduled cap hits.

At that moment, his net worth picture looked stable and secure. He had already earned more than $57 million in NFL salary, had multiple years of top-of-market pay behind him, and had become financially independent before age 30. Many retirement analyses framed him as an example of a player who used a premium position and careful career management to lock in long-term financial security.

However, on November 26, 2025, ESPN and other outlets reported that Ragnow is ending his retirement and rejoining the Lions because he still “loves the game.” Under league rules, he had to be reinstated before Detroit’s Week 13 game to be eligible this season, and the Lions still held his contractual rights for this year and next.

Financially, that decision effectively turns his previously theoretical future salaries back into real earning opportunities. If he is able to return to game shape and play through 2026, his on-field income could climb well beyond the current $57 million career total and push his net worth higher than today’s already substantial estimates. The precise final figure will depend on how much of the remaining contract he actually earns, any restructures and how his investments perform.

In simple terms, Frank Ragnow is a two-time All-American from Arkansas, a four-time Pro Bowl center for the Detroit Lions and a player whose net worth in 2025 is generally placed north of $70 million, with some models pointing to about $78.7 million. His brief retirement shows how much health and family now matter to him, but his return also means his financial story in Detroit is not finished yet.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly available contracts and media reporting and may not reflect Frank Ragnow’s exact personal finances.

Readers should treat all numbers as approximate and should not use this article as the basis for financial decisions. For personalized guidance, always consult a qualified professional advisor.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is Frank Ragnow’s estimated net worth in 2025?

Most recent estimates place Frank Ragnow’s 2025 net worth at more than $70 million. Some databases that combine past earnings and contract values list a figure around $78.7 million. Actual personal wealth can vary because private investments and spending are not public.

Q2: How did Frank Ragnow make most of his money?

Ragnow’s wealth comes primarily from his NFL contracts with the Detroit Lions. He signed a lucrative rookie deal in 2018 and a four-year, $54 million extension in 2021 that made him one of the highest paid centers in football, with additional income from bonuses and endorsements.

Q3: Why did Frank Ragnow retire in June 2025?

He retired on June 2, 2025 at age 29, citing chronic injuries and a need to prioritize his health and family. Reports highlighted long-term toe problems and other injuries that made it difficult for him to keep performing at his usual elite level over a full season.

Q4: Why is Frank Ragnow returning to the Detroit Lions now?

In late November 2025, ESPN and other outlets reported that Ragnow is ending his retirement and rejoining the Lions because he still loves playing. The team retained his contractual rights, so his existing deal can be reinstated and allow him to contribute down the stretch.

Q5: How many Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections does Frank Ragnow have?

Frank Ragnow has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times in his career. He has also been named second-team All-Pro three times, reflecting his status as one of the top centers in the NFL during his prime years.