The Detroit Lions are in the thick of an important offseason that's featured plenty of changes. Detroit's leaders and top players already had major pressure on themselves after an earlier-than-expected playoff exit, but that's feeling's only increased after big coaching losses since the campaign ended.
One top contributor who's likely to be most affected by the sideline shakeup is quarterback Jared Goff, who thrived under now-former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
However, the Lions have promoted from within to hopefully keep things as close to normal for QB1, while adding talented supporting coaches on offense to address the departures.
And now, Detroit is bringing in an offensive assistant who could be someone Goff leans upon during a turbulent time.
Detroit Lions are adding former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to their staff as an offensive assistant coach, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 6, 2025
Gradkowski — who played 11 years in the NFL with the Bucs, Raiders, Bengals, Steelers, and Browns — spent the past two seasons as the Offensive… pic.twitter.com/tmO2FEp4t9
Lions Hire Former NFL QB to 2025 Coaching Staff on Thursday
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Lions are hiring Bruce Gradkowski to their 2025 coaching staff. This marks a significant step up for Gradkowski, who's spent the past two years on the sidelines with the UFL's St. Louis Battlehawks.
However, Gradkowski is well-equipped to make this transition given his NFL connection. He entered the league in 2006 as a sixth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and went on to play for five total teams (the Bucs, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers) across 11 years.
The journeyman made a total of 37 appearances from 2006 to 2014, including 20 starts, while recording 4,057 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. Unfortunately, after battling injuries throughout his career, Gradkowski's playing days came to an end in 2016.
Considering the roller coaster of a career Gradkowski went through, he has valuable experience to impart to Goff. He's seen good and bad coaching staffs, so he'll know exactly how to support arguably Detroit's most important offensive player.
In addition, Gradkowski's already handled some major responsibilities as a coach in St. Louis, where he served as offensive coordinator and play-caller. That demonstrates a clear eye for game-planning, strategy and empowering his players, which Detroit could use with Johnson now gone.
The Lions clearly nailed starting their current coaching staff with another former player in Dan Campbell, and it'd be no surprise if Gradkowski's turns out to be a similar success.