The Detroit Lions have threatened to damage their relationship with former center Frank Ragnow after asking him to return a part of his signing bonus following his abrupt retirement.

The Detroit Lions have made a habit of asking retired players to return some of their signing bonuses.

Frank Ragnow is no exception.

Lions C Ragnow was forced to return a portion of his signing bonus after taking early retirement

After the 29-year-old walked away from the NFL last spring, despite having two years left on his four-year, $54 million deal, the Lions requested that he return a portion of his $6 million signing bonus proration.

How much the former center returned, though, is unclear.

In a lengthy interview at the 2026 NFL’s Annual League Meeting, Lions president Roy Wood revealed why Ragnow was asked to return some of his signing bonus.

“Our precedent goes all the way back to Barry Sanders. And if Barry Sanders paid back money,” Wood said, via the Detroit Free Press.

“And I think the reality is, they’re not paying back their money, they’re returning our money. Cause they were paid in advance for services that they hadn’t completed.”

At the time Ragnow signed his extension back in 2021, he was the league’s highest paid center, though that market has since been reset by Tyler Linderbaum after he inked a three-year, $81 million contract with theLas Vegas Raiders in free agency.

“I think every contract’s slightly different, and I won’t get into the negotiations because what we did with any one player wasn’t exactly the same and it did have something to do with how long ago it was and what percentage of the contract was a signing bonus vs. P5 base salary,” Wood continued.

“But once you don’t do it with somebody, even a small amount, it makes it difficult to get the bigger amount. And it’s really, it’s the Lions’ money, it’s not the player’s money.”

Ragnow attempted to make a return in November of the 2025 campaign, though the excitement was short-lived after failed the physical as a result of a torn hamstring.

Jason Kelce roasts Lions’ handling of the situation

Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce reacted to the news on social media, calling it ‘bull****’

“The whole purpose of a signing bonus is to be a guarantee up front that insures a salary irregardless of performance metrics, or most importantly injuries that could compromise your career in the future,” Kelce wrote on X.

“What makes this interesting is that Frank likely retired ‘voluntarily’, meaning, he wasn’t declared medically unfit to play by a doctor, which allows the team to ask for a prorated amount of his signing bonus back.

“Had he been medically deemed unfit to play football by a doctor before he retired, the team wouldn’t be able to recoup part of the signing bonus.”

The Super Bowl winner further added that Ragnow’s situation is vastly different from that of an average player because he has a history of getting hurt and playing through injury.

“While I get that the team has a right to ask for money back, in the spirit of the agreement, I think it’s bullsh*t Frank is being asked to return money,” Kelce added.

“This was clearly a player that the game had physically taken its toll on, and his body was clearly no longer holding up to the rigors of the NFL.

Kelce sounded off on the Lions for their treatment of Ragnow

Barry Sanders was forced to return $7 million to the Lions after his abrupt retirement from the NFL in 1999

“It wasn’t just some player deciding he didn’t want 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 field.”

Lions set precedent back in 1999

It is not mandatory for players to return bonus prorations when they opt to retire early.

However, the Lions set a precedent very early on, even to their franchise stars.

First-ballot Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders was subject to the same fate after he retired on the eve of training camp back in 1999.

Detroit’s all-time leading rusher was forced to repay over $7 million back to the team, with the Lions even taking their superstar to arbitration over it, threatening the two parties’ relationship.

Similarly, wide receiver Calvin Johnson opposed the organization when they forced him to repay $1.6 million following his early retirement back in 2016.

However, they could have commanded as much as $3.2 million in recuperation.

When Megatron was honored at Ford Field for his Hall of Fame ring ceremony back in 2021, the Lions Pride made their feelings known toward team owner Shiela Ford Hamp.

Johnson’s relationship with the Lions soured before reconciliation years later

As she was trying to pass on her congratulations to the wide receiver, she was showered with boos from the fans all around the stadium.

“It’s an honor to represent excellence and everything that the Hall of Fame stands for,” Johnson said on the field. “It’s an honor to represent Detroit, I love you guys.

“And it’s an honor to represent the NFL and the Johnson name on my back. I love you guys. I love the energy that y’all brought every Sunday. I miss you guys and I look forward to great things in the future here in Detroit.”

Having thwarted Sanders and Johnson’s relationship with the team, they have both since reconciled.

Now the Lions hope they can do damage limitation to their relationship with four-time Pro Bowler Ragnow.