DETROIT – Detroit Lions fan favorite offensive tackle Dan Skipper has called it a career, announcing his retirement from the NFL.
Skipper made the announcement on Thursday (Jan. 22) on his official Instagram.
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“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 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 said he plans to pursue a career in coaching, and multiple reports said that he will be a volunteer coach in the East-West Shrine Game, which would feature some of the top college players heading to the 2026 NFL draft.
And so it begins: Former Lions OT Dan Skipper is volunteering as an offensive line coach at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2026
Skipper is working with the East team, and getting an early chance to start a potential coaching career. https://t.co/2FavG1bPWU
Skipper was undrafted in 2017, but signed initially by the Dallas Cowboys and spent time with multiple teams before finding his home with the Lions.
He played in 69 career games and started 16.
Although he was a backup, he became a fan favorite as he was best known for reporting an an eligible receiver in special jumbo packages and brifely catching passes including a nine-yard touchdown in 2024.
Skipper is memorable for a controversial call of “reporting as eligible” in 2023 against the Cowboys, which resulted in a game-winning touchdown, but the play was called back by officials, costing the Lions the victory.