DFN Mailbag, Part I: More on Ragnow and the changing o-line, Jamo extension and other cap conundrums

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We're in the true NFL offseason, the several weeks between the conclusion of the early stages of the offseason program and the start of training camp. This is when players and coaches mentally rest and reset for the upcoming season.

But how can we rest when the mailbox is full? Let's see what's on your mind. (Also, don't forget to check back for Part II of the mailbag during the weekend).

Q: Any chance Frank sits out the first half of the season and then unretires to join the team for the playoff run? — Paul Van Randwyk

Justin: I don’t like to slam the door shut on any possibility, however remote, but this scenario strikes me as highly unlikely. This wasn’t an easy decision for Ragnow to make, and he weighed it across multiple months before deciding to call it a career. I have a difficult time believing he will reverse course.

Even if the mental switch flips back to wanting to play, there’s the physical component. Work goes into maintaining 320 pounds on a frame, not to mention the strength and cardio required to play 65-75 snaps per week. It wouldn’t be unusual for Ragnow to stay in shape, but that doesn’t equate to being in football shape, particularly for an offensive lineman.

If a lineman were to come out of retirement, it would be far more likely during the offseason, when they can physically reacclimate to the game's demands over a few months.

Q: What are the chances Colon, Awosika, or Frazier upset the top favorites for a starting IOL spot — @CHEN313

Justin: Relatively low. Trystan Colon just got here, so he’s starting at the bottom of the depth chart. Meanwhile, Kayode Awosika was jumped by Christian Mahogany last season. I don’t see any reason the situation would revert to what it was.

The wild card is Miles Frazier, the fifth-round pick out of LSU, but he’s still a long shot. Dan Campbell said he wants a veteran somewhere on the interior, and it would be quite the upset if Frazier beats out Mahogany or Tate Ratledge, who was selected more than 100 picks earlier in April's draft.

Frazier will more likely be competing for a top backup spot with Awosika, Netane Muti and Kingsley Eguakun.

Q: What does Jameson Williams have to do this year to get himself an extension? — @TheGameSheet

Justin: In some ways, this is a Catch-22 conversation. If Williams makes himself undeniable — both through his on-field contributions and off-field maturity — it means the projected price tag will grow even more.

I haven’t sat down and dug into the contractual comps after general manager Brad Holmes said he wasn’t currently pursuing an extension with the speedy receiver. It's within the realm of reason that the outlook has changed with the cap space freed up by Ragnow's retirement. Still, if Williams puts together another 1,000-yard season, it likely pushes him into Jaylen Waddle territory with inflation.

Waddle netted a three-year deal worth nearly $85 million. So you’re potentially looking at $30 million per for Williams if he remains on his current trajectory.

Once the Lions get an extension done with Aidan Hutchinson, whether it’s this offseason or next, I’ll have a better idea of what kind of flexibility the Lions still have. Regardless, it isn’t easy to see a new deal for Williams, particularly if the team prioritizes some combination of Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta.

Q: In 2026, the Lions are projected to be 40-50 million over the cap. Of course, they can restructure a bunch of deals to spread out the cap hits and get relief that way, but if you had to guess which core contributors might be either cap casualties or not re-signed, who are the top candidates? — PJ

Q: With 40 million in cap space (this year), is there a big free-agent move to be made before the season, or is that money spoken for in extensions? — @1979Cdn

Justin: Two entirely different cap conversations, but I’m going to lump the responses together.

Let’s start with 2025. It’s been a while since I’ve updated my charting of the team’s space, but with Ragnow’s retirement, the team definitely has more than $40 million in space. However, the spending power is closer to $20 million when you factor in some incoming charges associated with the regular season, including two extra roster spots that count toward the figure, a 16-man practice squad, and approximately $10 million reserved for injury replacements. The team also reserves some wiggle room for playing time and performance bonuses that will be earned, typically $2-3 million more.

The team could put some of that remaining space toward re-signing Za’Darius Smith, but I wouldn’t anticipate another splash. The free-agent market is picked over, and the Lions aren’t looking to take on a big contract via a trade, particularly someone like Trey Hendrickson. That move would require sending back high-end draft assets and a market-rate extension for a player nearing the end of his physical prime. If they're on the fence about extending Williams, where do you find $30-35 million per season for a 31-year-old Hendrickson?

Your assessment of that money being earmarked for in-house extensions, specifically Hutchinson, is reasonable.

As for 2026, again, I haven’t added things up lately, but Ragnow’s retirement bettered the situation. I still think it’s highly likely they execute a simple restructure on Jared Goff’s $69.6 million cap hit, spreading it out over a few years to quickly get compliant.

As for projecting cap casualties, I'd rather not engage in that speculation. It’s my preference not to predict who might lose their job. Logistically, players who would offer significant cap relief with their releases are Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, David Montgomery, Jack Fox and Brock Wright.

In terms of players who might not be re-signed in 2026, the conversation currently centers on linebacker Alex Anzalone. I wouldn't expect DJ Reader to be re-signed after this season. Meanwhile, Levi Onwuzurike, like Jameson Williams, could become too expensive with back-to-back healthy seasons, especially if the sack production picks up in 2025. The only reason he's back this year is his contract came in below market.

Q: Campbell's comments about it being disrespectful to think Ragnow's retirement was contract-related, is he sending any messages to Anzalone through that? — @tyler_sauer

Justin: Not at all. That was strictly a criticism of the narrative and the media’s role in spreading it.

I don’t know the genesis of the correlation. I didn’t hear anything similar, so I never reported that information.

Q: Tons of fun games slated for this year’s schedule, but which one are you most looking forward to during the regular season? — @C_Robbins_

Justin: Even though road primetime games are brutal for travel and sleep, there’s a great deal of appeal with the Week 3 matchup against Baltimore. That’s a team that’s had the Lions' number and really took it to them in 2023.

He might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’ve always had a great appreciation for Lamar Jackson’s rare athleticism at the quarterback position, plus the way the Ravens utilize the deep ball to keep opposing defenses off balance.

Defensively, Baltimore has historically played fast and hit hard. Ultimately, it should serve as a great measuring stick for the Lions in the early stages of the 2025 campaign.

Q: The NFL recently changed the rule to allow teams to wear alternate helmets with any uniform. Any word on whether the Lions will be swapping decals on the blue helmet to wear with blue or white jerseys once or twice this year? — @cliffordnotcliff.bsky.social

Justin: I haven’t heard anything on that front, but it makes all kinds of sense to toy with the new combination possibilities. I'd also like to see them occasionally utilize the older logo that was initially paired with the blue helmets.

One thing I’ve been told is the team has no plans to incorporate a third alternate helmet, different than the blue and silver, in 2025. I still love the idea of a white helmet to cap the "snowman" uniform combination.