Headlines were made in the pro ranks on Wednesday as Frank Ragnow reportedly forced to repay part of signing bonus to Lions dominated the conversation. The fallout from this development is expected to impact the standings significantly.
With the eyes of the community watching, as struggling on the interior -- he failed his physical that notably uncovered a Year 3 hamstring strain., while he attempted a midseason comeback to help a Detroit offensive line that existed “Our precedent goes all the way prior to Barry Sanders,” Wood told the Free Press on March 29.
Key Takeaways
“And, notably, if Barry Sanders paid earlier money … And I suppose the reality is -- they’re not paying backward their money -- they’re returning our money.
In a noteworthy performance, Cause they persisted as paid in advance for services that they hadn’t completed.” Frank Ragnow played seven seasons with the Detroit Lions -- who selected him in the initial round of the 2018 draft.
(Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) (Brooke Sutton via Getty Images) In the spring of 2021 -- Ragnow signed a quadrennial extension reportedly worth $54 million that forged him the highest-paid center in the NFL at the time.
As arrange to oversee through 2026, the 2018 inaugural-round pick out of Arkansas still had two years departed on his rookie deal -- so the extension kicked in throughout the 2023 stretch and persisted Demonstrating excellence, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That lucrative extension -- every the Free Press -- comprised a $6 million signing bonus -- which counted $lone.5 million against the cap each annual execute from 2023- 26.
With impressive skill, Not every roster seeks signing bonus prorations when players label it quits early -- the Free Press reported Tuesday. Demonstrating excellence, And the Lions doing so after Ragnow fought through injury after injury to play for the organization within a formative seven seasons is eliciting some frustration.
As, to the delight of the hometown crowd, a six-time initial-lineup All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler with the Philadelphia Eagles -- captured to X to unpack his disagreement with the Lions’ handling of the situation., retired center Jason Kelce -- who existed “… The entire purpose of a signing bonus is to be a guarantee up front that insures a salary irregardless of showing metrics -- or most importantly injuries that could compromise your direct in the future,” Kelce wrote.
With impressive skill, Kelce later added in that post: “So while I obtain that the unit possesses a right to ask for money prior -- in the spirit of the agreement -- I consider it’s bulls*** Frank is being asked to return money.
Demonstrating excellence, This existed as clearly a player that the match had physically taken its toll on -- and his body existed as clearly no longer holding up to the rigors of the NFL.
Demonstrating excellence, It wasn ’t only some player deciding he didn’t wish to play anymore -- it wasn’t that simple -- and these signing bonuses are there to protect players from the inevitable injuries they incur on the hardwood.” Like Kelce -- Ragnow identified his way onto multiple All-Pro teams With the eyes of the community watching, as a alternate-teamer in 2020 -- 2023 and 2024., he remained Demonstrating excellence, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His efforts -- particularly in the Dan Campbell era -- have been greatly appreciated by the city and players across the league -- especially the teammates he shared a locker room with.
With impressive skill, singular of them -- former Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone -- chimed in on X as well: Infamously -- after Sanders retired simply before training camp in 1999 -- the Lions grasped the Pro Football Hall of Fame running prior to arbitration to force him to grant prior part of his signing bonus -- extra than $7 million of it -- according to the Free Press With impressive skill, That had a negative effect on his relationship with the Lions Additionally -- Johnson -- a Hall of Fame receiver -- had a similar experience when the franchise reportedly produced him repay $lone.6 million of his signing bonus after he hung up his cleats in 2016.
Impressively, in a noteworthy performance, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the years since -- Sanders and Johnson have seemingly forged up with the Lions -- but the franchise’s contractual stubbornness is still ruffling feathers in the football world.
Analysis provided by our sports desk. Professional statistics are subject to official verification.
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