Both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions will open Week 1 at Lambeau Field with new centers in the middle of their respective offensive lines.
The Packers lost multi-year starter Josh Myers in free agency and are expected to move veteran Elgton Jenkins from left guard to center.
The Lions are losing veteran and four-time All-Pro Frank Ragnow, who is planning to retire from professional football, according to reporting from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Monday.
Changing centers can create a difficult adjustment. Not only does the center touch the ball every play, but there is an important connect between the center and quarterback, both in terms of hiking/snapping the ball and setting protections for the offensive line before the snap.
Not all change is created equal. The Packers are hoping to improve — maybe significantly — by moving Jenkins to center and having free-agent signee Aaron Banks play left guard in 2025. Jenkins has vast experience playing center, including starts at the NFL level and as recently as last year. However, he is currently not attending the offseason workout program while attempting to re-work his contract, delaying the transition.
The Lions, meanwhile, will have options for replacing Ragnow. According to Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire, the most likely option is rookie Tate Ratledge, a second-round pick out of Georgia. He played guard in college but has been playing center for the Lions during the offseason workout program. Another option, per Risdon, is moving veteran Graham Glasglow to center. However, the Lions would likely freely admit that replacing Ragnow, one of the best centers in football, will be difficult.
Interestingly enough, the Packers will be opening the season against a team replacing an elite player at center for the second straight season. In 2024, the Packers opened against the Philadelphia Eagles, who were replacing retiring center Jason Kelce.
Like the Eagles, the Lions have a deep, talented and experienced offensive line put in place around the center position. Even without Ragnow, the Lions should still be good up front. Exiting the 2024 season, PFF ranked the Lions with the fourth-best offensive line overall but are losing Ragnow and guard Kevin Zeitler.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers and Lions will both have new starting centers to open 2025 season
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
