Eric WoodyardJan 22, 2026, 03:22 PM ETCloseEric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region before switching to his current role in April 2021. The Flint, Mich. native is a graduate of Western Michigan University and has authored/co-authored three books: “Wasted,” “Ethan’s Talent Search” and “All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story”. He is a proud parent of one son, Ethan.Follow on X
Lions set to hire Drew Petzing as next OC (0:45)Eric Woodyard breaks down the Lions set to hire Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. (0:45)
DETROIT — Beloved Detroit Lions offensive lineman Dan Skipper announced his NFL retirement Thursday afternoon through his Instagram account.
Skipper went from an undrafted journeyman lineman to a cult hero in Detroit as a sixth lineman, even scoring a nine-yard touchdown reception in 2024 against the Buffalo Bills. He joined Taylor Decker and Scott Conover as the only offensive linemen in Lions history to produce a touchdown reception.
“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,” Skipper wrote on Instagram. “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 apart of my journey.
A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday that Skipper is volunteering as an offensive line coach for this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. Skipper will be working with the East team.
The 31-year-old logged nine seasons in the NFL after being signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017. In addition to his practice squad stint in Dallas, he also appeared in games with the Lions and Houston Texans over his career.
Skipper had admitted that he was considering retirement, due to back issues, following Detroit’s 19-16 win over Chicago in the regular season finale, as he shed tears during his postgame media availability with reporters.
Skipper told ESPN that he’ll go to his grave swearing the Lions did everything they were supposed to do at that moment, but he was forever thankful for the fans.
Lions set to hire Drew Petzing as next OC (0:45)Eric Woodyard breaks down the Lions set to hire Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. (0:45)
Eric Woodyard breaks down the Lions set to hire Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. (0:45)
CloseEric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region before switching to his current role in April 2021. The Flint, Mich. native is a graduate of Western Michigan University and has authored/co-authored three books: “Wasted,” “Ethan’s Talent Search” and “All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story”. He is a proud parent of one son, Ethan.Follow on X
A coaching career could be on the horizon, Skipper said in his post.
“It’s time for me to ‘report’ as retired. (Sorry I had to do it one last time!)”
In a tight battle versus the Cowboys, officials ruled that Taylor Decker, the Lions’ starting left tackle, didn’t report as an eligible receiver while Skipper reported as eligible after a potential game-winning 2-point conversion Decker was negated by an illegal touching penalty for not reporting as eligible.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dan Skipper (@bigskippy70)