Pride of Detroit
Dan Skipper is coming off a career year, but the Detroit Lions have young players waiting in the wings. Is it time for Detroit to move on from Skipper?
Our 2025 Detroit Lions free agency preview series has reached one of the team’s biggest cult favorites. Almost overnight, depth offensive tackle Dan Skipper became a Detroit sports legend for being on the wrong end of a terrible officiating snafu. He’s become synonymous both locally and league-wide with the term “reporting as eligible,” and he’s even carved out a pretty significant role with the Lions.
But as he enters his 31-year-old season in 2025 as an unrestricted free agent, is it time for the Lions to move on? Let’s break down the legend of Dan Skipper and see what it holds for the future.
Here’s a look at our previously-written free agent profiles: WR Tim Patrick, G Kevin Zeitler, DT Kyle Peko, LB Derrick Barnes, CB Carlton Davis
It wasn’t clear how many offensive linemen the Lions were going to keep, particularly with fourth-round pick Giovanni Manu hogging one of the depth spots. Manu was clearly at least a year off from playing, so there was still a strong need for a third offensive tackle behind Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell.
Heading into training camp, it was clear that battle would be between Skipper and 2023 fifth-round pick Colby Sorsdal. With Sorsdal shifting back to tackle after trying out guard in his rookie season, the early nod went to the more experienced Skipper. And throughout training camp, it stayed that way. So Skipper was expected to maintain his role as jumbo-package tackle and the first player to replace either Decker or Sewell.
In previous years, Skipper’s play was just adequate. Detroit was highly efficient out of jumbo packages with Skipper in the game, but when relied upon to start, he struggled. For example, he started five games in 2022 and earned a PFF pass blocking grade of 19.6—allowing 19 pressure and four sacks in just limited play. Though, notably, those starts were at guard, not tackle.
So while the Lions were likely comfortable in Skipper’s role as the sixth offensive linemen in subpackages, they were undoubtedly looking for upgrades for their backup tackle position.
Note: PFF grades combine regular season and playoffs and reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position
17 games (5 starts): 1 catch, 9 yards, TD — 323 offensive snaps
PFF offensive grade: 55.2 (71st out of 88 qualifying OTs)
PFF pass blocking grade: 57.6 (67th out of 88)
PFF run blocking grade: 49.5 (80th out of 88)
First off, Skipper won the backup offensive tackle role definitively in training camp, and it wasn’t just about Sorsdal and Manu not being ready. Skipper had the best summer of his career.
“He earned the third tackle position,” coach Dan Campbell said. “He earned that spot, and I felt like this year in camp was the...
