In perhaps the least surprising news of the Detroit Lions’ offseason, recently retired offensive lineman Dan Skipper is reportedly joining the team’s coaching staff, according to CBS Detroit’s Rachel Hopmayer.
Skipper announced on social media last month that he was retiring from his playing days after nine seasons in the NFL. He hinted at retirement after the Lions’ regular season finale, noting that a back injury was among the reasons why his future as a player was in doubt.
However, tucked within that retirement announcement was a declaration that Skipper wanted to continue his football career as a coach. He quickly parlayed that desire into a coaching role down at the East-West Shrine college football all-star game in January.
It’s unclear exactly what Skipper’s role will be with the Lions, but it’s pretty easy to do some dot connecting. Recently, the Lions promoted assistant offensive line coach Steve Oliver to become the team’s next tight end coach, leaving a vacancy that Skipper could certainly step right into. That said, the Lions may want to hire him as a more general offensive assistant first, if they believe Skipper should work his way up to an assistant positional role.
Regardless, Skipper is back in Detroit, where he belongs. And, hopefully, he can help the Lions’ offensive line—which went through its fair share of struggles last year—return to their high standard of play.
Skipper is the latest in a series of coaching changes made on the offensive side of the ball. Here’s a full recap:
Offensive coach additions:
- Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing
- “High-ranking” coach (no official title yet) Mike Kafka
- Dan Skipper (no title yet)
Promotions:
- Steve Oliver — from assistant OL coach to TE coach
Losses:
- OC John Morton (fired)
- Assistant TE coach Seth Ryan (hired as Jets pass game coordinator)
- TE coach Tyler Roehl (hired as Iowa State offensive coordinator)
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