All Bengals

Week 5 Opponent Takes Hit As Former Bengals Draft Target Makes Surprise Retirement Announcement

Jay Morrison

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) talks to center Frank Ragnow (77) during warm up before the Tennessee Titans game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) talks to center Frank Ragnow (77) during warm up before the Tennessee Titans game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In this story:

CINCINNATI – From Walter Nolen two months ago to Devin Bush in 2019, Cincinnati Bengals fans have a “what if” list that is long and tortuous after watching numerous desired players drafted one pick before them.

The No. 1 entry on that list was set to visit Paycor Stadium in Week 5, but that won’t happen after Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement today.

From fans to front office, the Bengals were zeroed in on Ragnow in the 2019 draft, only to watch the Lions select him at No. 20, leaving Cincinnati to draft Billy Price at No. 21.

The Bengals originally owned the No. 12 pick and easily could have snagged Ragnow as a replacement for Russell Bodine, who had started all 64 games from 2014-17.

But a few weeks before the draft, the Bengals acquired Cordy Glenn from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for moving back from No. 12 to No. 21.

Glenn and Price ended up joining a long list of Cincinnati offensive line disappointments, while Ragnow made four Pro Bowls and was second team All Pro thrice in his seven season seasons while starting 92 games.

Price made nine starts in three seasons before the Bengals traded him to the Giants for B.J. Hill.

Glenn started 18 games in two seasons with the Bengals and was suspended one game for insubordination.

Ragnow, 29, cited his health as his reason for retiring.

"I've tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good but I’m not and it’s time to prioritize my health and my family's future,” Ragnow wrote on Instagram.

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

-----

Join the 50,000+ Bengals fans that subscribe to us on YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter: @BengalsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Follow on TikTok

feed

Published
Jay Morrison
JAY MORRISON

Jay Morrison covers the Cincinnati Bengals for Bengals On SI. He has been writing about the NFL for nearly three decades. Combining a passion for stats and storytelling, Jay takes readers beyond the field for a unique look at the game and the people who play it. Prior to joining Bengals on SI, Jay covered the Cincinnati Bengals beat for The Athletic, the Dayton Daily News and Pro Football Network.