The Detroit Lions will lose an important part of their offense starting next season: offensive lineman Dan Skipper is ending his career.

Detroit Lions offensive lineman Dan Skipper has announced his retirement from the NFL. The 31-year-old, who played for the Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Houston Texans over nine seasons, announced his decision on Instagram. Skipper began his professional career in 2017 as an undrafted free agent with the Cowboys and later established himself as a reliable backup with the Lions.

Detroit Lions: Controversy surrounding Dan Skipper

He became particularly well known for the so-called “Dan Skipper Game” on December 30, 2023, when a controversial refereeing decision in a game against the Cowboys led to a denied two-point conversion.
Since then, he has become a cult hero among Lions fans, who celebrated him frenetically at home games at Ford Field. In the 2024 season, Skipper scored a 9-yard touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. It was only the third TD reception by a Lions offensive lineman in franchise history.
The reason for his retirement is ongoing back problems, which he emotionally addressed after the season finale against the Chicago Bears. In his Instagram message, Skipper wrote: “For 24 years, I’ve put on pads and a helmet every fall. This year, I’m trading that in for a career on the other side as a coach. The memories and experiences the NFL has given me and my family are hard to put into words. I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of my journey.” Skipper plans to become a coach and is currently volunteering to mentor the offensive line of the East team at the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.