In joining the Detroit Lions coaching staff, Dan Skipper’s career has come full circle. As a coach, he’ll inspire struggling young players with his story of resilience, hard work, determination, and redemption.
Now, A Detroit Lions Coach, Dan Skipper’s Career Comes Full Circle
A perennial practice squad member, Skipper played in 69 NFL games throughout his career, playing 66 of those games in Detroit. Year after year, he fought hard to make the roster out of training camp. Giving it his all every summer, he played his heart out, only to learn he didn’t make the final cut.
Throughout his nine-year NFL career, Skipper fought in the trenches, both on and off the field. Persevering through years of career uncertainty and rejection, he’s experienced the depths of despair and tasted the heights of the sport’s ultimate achievement. But when he was at his lowest point, sometimes, the belief and encouragement of a supportive coach could make a difference.
Skipper’s Journey From the Draft to The NFL
Although Skipper’s 6’10” 309 lb. frame and his Arkansas Razorback record elicited attention during the 2017 NFL Draft, he wasn’t selected. Instead, signing with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, he spent time on the practice squad, trying but failing to make the roster.
Five days after his September release, he signed with the Lions. Although he remained on the practice squad that season, he signed a reserve/future contract for the following year. However, Skipper was waived ahead of the 2018 season.
After signing with the Denver Broncos practice squad, he was poached by the New England Patriots in January of 2019 . Added as depth for the playoff-bound Patriots, Skipper became part of the Championship Super Bowl LIII team that defeated the Los Angeles Rams by a score of 13-3. The Patriots signed him to a reserve/future contract for the next season. However, in October, Skipper was acquired from their practice squad by the Houston Texans.
Skipper Returns to Detroit
In November of 2019, Skipper was claimed off waivers for his second stint in Detroit. Bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and the active roster, Skipper was officially promoted to the roster on December 14, 2019.
Believing he would make the 2020 roster, Skipper’s hopes were dashed when he was injured during the preseason. Waived with an injury designation, he was given a settlement. Upon his recovery in October, the Lions re-signed him to the practice squad. Skipper officially returned to the active roster on December 19, 2021. But in a unique twist for the Week 17 season finale against the Minnesota Vikings , he took his first career snaps as a defensive tackle.
Skipper’s positional versatility and plug-and-play reliability should have designated him for the 2021 53-man roster out of training camp. However, another preseason injury derailed that hope. In September of 2021, the Lions waived Skipper with an injury settlement. Hoping he would clear waivers so Detroit could re-sign him, the team lost out when the Las Vegas Raiders signed him to their practice squad. Eventually, Skipper returned to the Lions’ practice squad in mid-November. Playing only one game that season, he signed a reserve/future contract for the 2022 season.
Skipper Begins to Make His Impact In Detroit
It was during final cutdowns for the 2022 season that Skipper learned, once again, he’d failed to make the 53-man roster. The moment was memorably recorded on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series. Heartbroken, he turned to Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell. “Is there anything I can do? What could I have done different?”
As in years past, Skipper was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. But this time, it signaled the start of a new chapter in his career. By early September, a series of offensive line injuries made Skipper the next man up.
On September 18, 2022, he got his first NFL start against the Washington Commanders as the starting left guard. Explaining his change of position at the time, Campbell stated confidently, “He knows our offense in and out, he knows all the positions… We trust him. I trust him, and he’s a battler.”
The game ended in a 36-27 victory for Detroit, with Jared Goff and the offense recording 425 yards of total offense. Singling him out for his performance in the postgame locker room, Campbell yelled, “Hey, Skip. Nice freakin’ job!” as his teammates joined in, chanting, “Skip! Skip!
Afterwards, Skipper was asked what it was like after all these years to finally get the start, knowing he played a big role in the team’s victory.
“It’s been such a long road,” Skipper said. “Six teams, and, like I said, I’ve been cut all over. Just having my wife and kids here and everything else, it just really comes full circle. It’s hard to explain. I don’t know. It’s kind of the first—it kind of makes everything all worth it. All the chaos and the trials. Having (my family) here and playing, it’s just kinda the cherry on top.”
Skipper, A Cult Hero and Fan Favorite
Nonetheless, after appearing in 16 games and starting five that year, Skipper wasn’t re-signed for Detroit’s 2023 season. Spending the month of August 2023 with the Indianapolis Colts, he was released on September 4, 2023. Returning to the Lions’ practice squad for a fourth stint, Skipper was promoted to the active roster in mid-October.
On December 30, 2023, playing in a game against the Cowboys that will forever be cemented in fans’ memories as the “Dan Skipper game,” he was flagged for a controversial, erroneous penalty . Tossing a two-point conversion pass to guard Taylor Decker, with 23 seconds left in the game, Goff gave the Lions a 21-20 lead. However, flagging the play, the ref ruled that Skipper failed to report as an eligible receiver. The score was nullified. Insisting he’d reported, Skipper was livid. But the call stood, even though the refs couldn’t agree on who committed the penalty, with one ref stating it was Decker who didn’t report.
However, instead of turning against Skipper, the Lions’ fans embraced him, acknowledging that he’d been wronged. It became a stadium tradition that anytime the referee announces ‘number 70 as an eligible receiver’, the crowd goes wild, cheering for Skipper.
Scoring his first NFL touchdown on December 15, 2024, it was the second reception of Skipper’s career. The sight of his big body lumbering across the goal line for a nine-yard reception was a sight to behold. Already a fan favorite, his reputation was further enhanced when Skipper was inadvertently caught vomiting on camera during Campbell’s post-game locker room victory speech. Completely unfazed, Campbell spotted Skipper puking, encouraging him, “There you go, Skip, keep throwing up. Whatever you’re doing over there. That’s a way to freakin’ lay it on the line.”
Skipper Announces His Retirement
However, the years of physically giving everything to the game took a toll. Skipper’s body eventually gave out. Battling through a sprained ankle, knee tendonitis, and chronic back pain, the 2025 season was a constant struggle. Admitting the Week 18 game might be his last, Skipper confessed, “…Some weeks are all right, some weeks you can’t f______ move. I just feel like as it went on, not being able to move, it’s frustrating, it’s hard. Stuff that you have been able to do for a long time, you can’t do anymore. It sucks, but it’s just part of the aging process.”
On January 22, 2026, Skipper announced his retirement on Instagram. “24 years of putting on pads and a helmet every fall. 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 who 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 Returns to Detroit As A Coach
Now, he begins the next chapter of his career, returning to the team that has been his refuge for the past seven seasons. However, this time, he’s coming back as a member of Campbell’s coaching staff. It’s ironic that when he learned of a management shakeup in 2021 that led to a new head coach and general manager, he initially felt conflicted. Wondering whether he would fit in with the new organization, he contemplated retirement.
Seeking the advice of his former college position coach , Sam Pittman, Skipper admitted he was considering retirement. He asked about openings on Pittman’s staff. But his former coach told him, “I don’t think you’re through yet.” Pittman encouraged, “Keep fighting, you’ll get a break.”
Paying It Forward
Sometimes, all it takes is a coach who believes in you. Now, Skipper is that “someone.” His experience in playing multiple positions will be invaluable knowledge for the Detroit coaching staff. But it’s his personal story and resilience in overcoming adversity that will resonate most with the players to inspire them. Skipper’s loved by his teammates and the fans. He’s earned the respect of his coaches. His enthusiasm, love of the game, and spirit are contagious. Welcome home, Skip!