Lions free agent profile: Is it time to move on from Dan Skipper?

Dan Skipper is coming off a career year, but the Detroit Lions have young players waiting in the wings. Is it time for Detroit to move on from Skipper?

Our 2025 Detroit Lions free agency preview series has reached one of the team’s biggest cult favorites. Almost overnight, depth offensive tackle Dan Skipper became a Detroit sports legend for being on the wrong end of a terrible officiating snafu. He’s become synonymous both locally and league-wide with the term “reporting as eligible,” and he’s even carved out a pretty significant role with the Lions.

But as he enters his 31-year-old season in 2025 as an unrestricted free agent, is it time for the Lions to move on? Let’s break down the legend of Dan Skipper and see what it holds for the future.

Here’s a look at our previously-written free agent profiles: WR Tim Patrick, G Kevin Zeitler, DT Kyle Peko, LB Derrick Barnes, CB Carlton Davis

Dan Skipper

Expectations heading into 2024

It wasn’t clear how many offensive linemen the Lions were going to keep, particularly with fourth-round pick Giovanni Manu hogging one of the depth spots. Manu was clearly at least a year off from playing, so there was still a strong need for a third offensive tackle behind Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell.

Heading into training camp, it was clear that battle would be between Skipper and 2023 fifth-round pick Colby Sorsdal. With Sorsdal shifting back to tackle after trying out guard in his rookie season, the early nod went to the more experienced Skipper. And throughout training camp, it stayed that way. So Skipper was expected to maintain his role as jumbo-package tackle and the first player to replace either Decker or Sewell.

In previous years, Skipper’s play was just adequate. Detroit was highly efficient out of jumbo packages with Skipper in the game, but when relied upon to start, he struggled. For example, he started five games in 2022 and earned a PFF pass blocking grade of 19.6—allowing 19 pressure and four sacks in just limited play. Though, notably, those starts were at guard, not tackle.

So while the Lions were likely comfortable in Skipper’s role as the sixth offensive linemen in subpackages, they were undoubtedly looking for upgrades for their backup tackle position.

Actual role in 2024

Note: PFF grades combine regular season and playoffs and reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position

17 games (5 starts): 1 catch, 9 yards, TD — 323 offensive snaps
PFF offensive grade: 55.2 (71st out of 88 qualifying OTs)
PFF pass blocking grade: 57.6 (67th out of 88)
PFF run blocking grade: 49.5 (80th out of 88)

First off, Skipper won the backup offensive tackle role definitively in training camp, and it wasn’t just about Sorsdal and Manu not being ready. Skipper had the best summer of his career.

“He earned the third tackle position,” coach Dan Campbell said. “He earned that spot, and I felt like this year in camp was the best that he has performed, the best that he has played since he’s been in the league, since I’ve been around him. That’s a credit to him, it’s not like he just walked in the door, I mean, he’s had to battle and he’s been at different teams.”

It’s no minor accomplishment that Skipper made the initial 53-man roster for the first time in his career.

That momentum continued into the regular season, as 2024 was arguably Skipper’s best year to date. His 323 snaps were the second most of his career, and while his PFF grades didn’t impress, he performed quite well in the game in which he had full-time roles.

• Against the Texans, he played 65 snaps, allowed three pressures and no sacks
• Against the Bears, he played 69 snaps, allowed four pressures, and no sacks
• Against the Packers, he had the best game of his career, playing 80 snaps and allowing just two pressures and no sacks.

For the year, he allowed just a single sack and 12 pressures, per PFF.

Meanwhile, Detroit continued to thrive in jumbo packages, as evidenced by their power run success rate (70%, ninth) and third down conversion percentage (47.6%, fourth).

Oh, right. And this happened:

Outlook for 2025

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent

Skipper hasn’t signed a two-year contract since 2020, so heading into free agency is nothing new for the eight-year veteran.

Pros of re-signing

For one, Skipper has settled into his role as OT3 very well. It’s hard to believe that he’s playing his best football at age 30, but that’s exactly how his career has broken. That speaks to Skipper’s girt, because he’s been cut and re-signed around two dozen times over the course of his career. Detroit likes to reward that kind of determination.

Additionally, it’s not clear if any of Detroit’s long-term projects are going to be ready for the backup job in 2025. There have been positive reports on Manu’s progress, while it’s a little less clear where Sorsdal is at. Either way, both were regularly inactive on game day, so they apparently weren’t particularly close to unseating Skipper last season.

Even if the plan was to give the reins to one of those two players—or add outside competition via free agency or the draft—Skipper seems like the kind of guy you want in training camp to push everyone. He’s a high-energy player who will raise the intensity of the entire offensive line room.

His cost, too, is also a positive. He will almost certainly earn somewhere near the vet minimum. The highest per-year average of any contract he has ever signed was last year’s $1.15 million one-year deal.

Cons of re-signing

There aren’t many. I suppose adding Skipper could potentially hinder the development of Manu and/or Sorsdal, but if those players aren’t ready, Detroit isn’t going to force them into the lineup.

Perhaps the best reason for moving on from Skipper is simply: the Lions’ OT3 could be better. Skipper’s play is fine, but it can also be upgraded. Detroit likely wants that to be Manu, Sorsdal, or both, but it’s possible Detroit could find another option, too. It won’t be easy, though, as there aren’t a lot of starting-quality tackles in the league just waiting to be signed. It’s a rare commodity.

Is there interest from both sides?

It’s no secret that the Lions absolutely love Skipper.

“He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s gritty, he’s got hands, he’s a finisher, I mean, you name it, he just fits everything that we’re about,” Campbell said in January. “So, when? I don’t know, probably three years ago, there’s something about this guy that—you just want this guy around and you can use him in a certain capacity, so he’s very much a part of what we are.”

And given the Lions have allowed Skipper’s career—against all odds—to blossom in Year 8, I have to imagine Detroit holds a special place in his heart.

“When people say Detroit, typically it’s a negative connotation,” Skipper told ESPN this past year. “Shitty football, tough city, tough place to live, not fun, gets the short end of everything. But the city of Detroit rallies like nothing you’ve ever seen. … Yeah, we got dealt a shitty card, but at the end of the day, are we going to respond, or are we going to go make the best of it?”

Cost?

Last year, Skipper played on the vet minimum: a one-year, $1.15 million deal. He may ask for a slight increase in pay this year, but I wouldn’t expect much more. Safe to say, Skipper would likely cost somewhere between $1-2 million for a single year, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lions reward him with a second year considering his accomplishments in 2024.

Conclusion

To answer the question in the title: No, it is not time to move on from Dan Skipper. He’s coming off a career year, he’s likely to remain a very cheap re-signing, and Detroit needs competition for their young players who are likely not ready to take over Skipper’s role. In my opinion, the only way this deal doesn’t get done in the upcoming weeks is if Skipper wants a bigger paycheck or surprisingly decides to retire. But everything is pointing to Skipper’s seventh consecutive year with the team, and rightfully so.