Frank Ragnow: Playing Chiefs 'Great Test' for Lions

Lions center Frank Ragnow reacts to opening season against Chiefs.

The Detroit Lions are looking forward to starting their 2023 season against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

After being largely ignored for primetime consideration last season, Detroit is featured much more prominently in marquee matchups this upcoming season, including playing on Monday Night Football at home for the first time since 2018. 

Center Frank Ragnow joined 97.1 The Ticket to react to Detroit's 2023 schedule and the upcoming opportunity to play against the defending Super Bowl champions. 

"Pretty cool, huh? Like going from no primetime games last year to now being the opening game of the season. It'll be great. It'll be cool," Ragnow said. "It'll just get guys even more motivated than we already are to start the season. And, it'll be a great test for us to get things going right away."

Despite all of the offseason hype surrounding the Lions, including many pundits predicting the team will win 12 games this season, Ragnow is quick to point out the team did not accomplish its primary goals last season. 

After a rough start to the 2022 season, the team did eventually win at a higher rate to close out the season, but still ended up missing out on the postseason. 

As a result of its season ending in disappointing fashion, Detroit's young roster is likely going to use the added motivation to fuel its desire for success.  

"Honestly, the way this offseason has been and you're right, you can't completely shut off the offseason noise, but it's the way this offseason has been. There's been so much hype around us and a lot of people saying good things about us," said Ragnow. "I think it's good. I think we're a team that, yes, we finished off strong -- but we didn't make the playoffs. We've got a lot to prove. And, I think it'll be good to make sure that this young team and all of our guys in that locker room are hungry, and maybe even have a bigger chip on our shoulder, to make sure we go out and earn everything."