The Detroit Lions have informed offensive tackle Dan Skipper that he will be released, making him a vested veteran free agent immediately.
Skipper, a 6-foot-10 former undrafted player from 2017, has become a familiar name in Detroit, logging four separate stints with the Lions during his NFL career. He carved out a niche as a versatile depth blocker and special-teams contributor in a long journey that has included several stops around the league.
A notable moment in his Lions tenure came in a 2023 regular-season game against the Cowboys, when referee Brad Allen ruled that Skipper had reported as an eligible receiver on a key two-point conversion attempt. The play instead targeted tackle Taylor Decker, who was flagged for illegal touching, and what could have been a Lions win over Dallas turned into a loss. The Lions and Skipper had been perceived as attempting to disguise eligibility, a gambit that briefly drew attention to his role on the field.
Last season, Skipper appeared in all 17 regular-season games and started five. He caught one pass for a nine-yard touchdown against the Bills, a testament to his unusual versatility for an offensive lineman.
With vested veteran status, Skipper becomes a free agent immediately and will be free to pursue opportunities with other teams. Whether he latches on with the Lions again or signs elsewhere remains to be seen, but his size, experience, and multi-position utility could appeal to would-be suitors in need of depth along the offensive line.
Summary: Dan Skipper’s release signals another shift in Detroit’s offensive-line depth as the team explores its options for a young lineup. The Lions will likely weigh his veteran experience against the need to develop younger players, while Skipper himself heads into free agency with a track record of resilience and versatility.
Positive note: The move opens opportunities for emerging linemen in Detroit to prove themselves, while Skipper’s extensive NFL experience could help him land with another team in need of a tall, versatile blocker.