ALLEN PARK – The Detroit Lions are adding another former player to their coaching staff, with ESPN reporting that longtime NFL backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski has been hired as an offensive assistant.
Gradkowski spent over a decade in the NFL, playing for teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers. While he has not coached at the NFL level before, he gained experience at the high school level and spent a year at his alma mater, Toledo, as an offensive analyst in 2022. Most recently, Gradkowski served as the offensive coordinator for the UFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks in 2023. ESPN reports that Gradkowski accepted the Lions’ offer earlier this week, filling a vacancy on the coaching staff following several departures.
The Lions lost wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett to the Chicago Bears, who joined former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson after he became their head coach. They also saw tight ends coach Steve Heiden and passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand leave for new roles with former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s staff in New York. Engstrand was promoted to Jets offensive coordinator, while Heiden became the team’s offensive line coach.
Gradkowski will be part of the revamped offensive staff, with John Morton stepping in as the new offensive coordinator. He brings another experienced voice with a player’s perspective to the coaching staff, a trait the Lions have embraced since Dan Campbell took over as head coach in 2021.