Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton has praised rookie Tate Ratledge for his performance at center despite a position switch to right guard after just a few training camp practices. Morton highlighted Ratledge's intelligence and adaptability in handling the mental challenges of the center position, which includes various snap counts and audibles. Ratledge's transition comes as the Lions aim to strengthen their offensive line following the retirement of Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow and the departure of right guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency.

With only two combined NFL starts between Ratledge and fellow second-year lineman Christian Mahogany, there are concerns about their experience. However, Morton remains optimistic about the current offensive line setup. Ratledge is expected to be a key component in the Lions’ plans for the upcoming season, and his ongoing training at center shows that the team is keen to keep their options open as they prepare for preseason matchups.