The Detroit Lions selected Georgia Bulldogs offensive guard Tate Ratledge in the second-round of the 2025 NFL draft. The Lions and Ratledge remain locked in a contract dispute as Detroit’s start to training camp (July 26) nears.
Ratledge is slotted to earn approximately $7.65 million over his four-year rookie contract. However, he has not signed his deal, joining the vast majority of NFL second-round picks this summer.
“Less than a month from training camp, only two of the NFL’s 32 second-round draft picks have signed,” said ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. “Deals are stalled over whether or not contracts will be fully guaranteed. The only two 2025 second-round picks now signed are Cleveland’s Carson Schwesinger and Houston’s Jayden Higgins.”
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, a second-round pick, is seeking to have his contract fully guaranteed. Shough could start for the Saints as a rookie and has leverage. The resolution of Shough’s contract situation appears to be what the rest of the second-round picks are waiting on.
The Lions are expected to eventually resolve their contract disagreement with Ratledge. Detroit’s starting center last year, Frank Ragnow, retired and the Lions could start Ratledge at center.
However, Ratledge never played at center during his career at Georgia. The Lions would prefer to have Ratledge, who participated in minicamp, participating in training camp, so he can adjust to playing center and learn Detroit’s system.
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