Ray Agnew enters his fourth season with the Lions as assistant general manager after joining the team in 2021. Agnew assists and consults Executive Vice President and General Manager Brad Holmes with all functions of the player personnel department. Agnew continues to be a key asset in helping Holmes with roster construction and team building. His influence was an integral asset in the roster construction of the club's 2023 team, that helped the Lions to a 12-5 record on the season. The club's 12-5 record tied the single-season franchise record for wins in a season. The 2023 season was also the third season in club history to have multiple playoff games won, and the first time it occurred in a season for the franchise since 1957. The 2023 roster clinched Detroit's first Division Championship since 1993 and advanced to the club's first NFC Championship since 1991.
Before coming to Detroit, Agnew spent four years as the director of pro scouting with the Los Angeles Rams. He was a member of the Rams scouting staff for 18 seasons, having previously served as the assistant director of pro personnel.
In Los Angeles, Agnew was tasked with evaluating all 32 NFL rosters in preparation for free agency and writing advance scouting reports for upcoming opponents. For the draft, he evaluated all players on the Rams' draft board and prepared grades alongside team need analysis for the draft process. Throughout the year, Agnew was also responsible for the preparation of potential trade scenarios.
Prior to transitioning to the Rams' personnel department, Agnew spent seven years as director of player development/team pastor with the Rams. He served as a spiritual mentor for players and assisted them with life issues.
Before joining the front office, Agnew spent three seasons with the Rams as a defensive tackle (1998-2000) and was a vital contributor on the field and in the locker room as the Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999. He totaled 11 seasons in the NFL after being selected in the first round (10th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of N.C. State. He played for New England from 1990-94 and with the New York Giants from 1995-97 before joining the Rams as an unrestricted free agent. He totaled 157 career games played and recorded 23.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and one interception.
Agnew currently resides in Birmingham, Mich., with his wife, Katherine. Together, they have three sons who are all involved in the game of football. Ray III is currently a pro scout with the New York Jets, Malcolm is the running backs coach at Stanford and Keenan is a scouting assistant for the Tennessee Titans.
