Skipper walks away after nine seasons in the NFL and plans to transition into coaching.
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper announced on Instagram that he will retire after nine seasons in the NFL. Skipper battled a back injury this season and said after last season that he thought this could be his last year. Skipper plans to transition into coaching and is reportedly volunteering as an offensive line coach at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl.
“24 years of putting on pads and a helmet every fall,” Skipper wrote on Instagram. “This year I’ll trade that out to pursue a career on the other side in coaching. The memories and experiences that the NFL has brought me and my family are hard to put into words. Thankful for every person that has been a part of my journey. It’s time for me to ‘report’ as retired. (Sorry, I had to do it one last time!)”
Skipper, 31, spent his last three seasons with the Lions and had four different stints with the team. He also spent time with the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, and Indianapolis Colts. Despite his movement as a player, Skipper spent 66 of his 69 active games with the Lions.
At 6-foot-9, Skipper was the tallest active player in the NFL last season and was a Lions fan favorite. Former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson used creative ways to get Skipper involved in the game plan beyond his swing tackle role. Skipper would report eligible and motion out wide as a jumbo receiver.
He caught two passes for 13 yards and a touchdown in his career. Skipper was also part of the controversial call in the Dallas game in 2023, when he was reported eligible instead of Taylor Decker, who caught a two-point conversion.
Skipper now becomes the latest Lions offensive lineman to retire after center Frank Ragnow surprisingly retired last offseason. Ragnow attempted to return to the Lions last season but remained retired after failing his physical.
Decker was also mulling retirement after Week 18’s regular-season finale against the Bears. The offensive line, which was once a strength for the Lions, struggled due to inexperience and injuries on the interior. Without Skipper, new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will be tasked with strengthening the line with one fewer option.
Category: General Sports
