Dan Skipper Bio
Daniel Skipper, born September 20, 1994, in Arvada, Colorado, is an American former professional football player who served as an offensive tackle in the National Football League. Skipper played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 2013 to 2016 before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Standing at 6 feet 10 inches tall, Skipper became one of the tallest players in NFL history throughout his playing career. He most recently appeared in the NFL with the Detroit Lions before transitioning to coaching. On February 11, 2026, the Detroit Lions hired Skipper to serve as an offensive assistant under head coach Dan Campbell.
Early Life and Background
Skipper was born in Arvada, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. He attended Ralston Valley High School in his hometown, where he began developing into a formidable offensive lineman. During his junior year, Skipper contributed to the team achieving a 10-2 record and advancing to the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs. His performance on the field attracted attention from college programs seeking talented linemen.
As a senior at Ralston Valley High School, Skipper helped lead his team to the state semifinals while earning 5A all-state honors. His dominant play at the high school level resulted in multiple scholarship offers for athletics. After considering his options, Skipper chose to continue his football career at the University of Arkansas, where he would develop into an All-SEC performer.
Path to the NFL
Skipper committed to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks, a member of the Southeastern Conference. He arrived on campus as a freshman and immediately contributed, appearing in all 12 games while starting the final eight at right offensive guard. He blocked a single-season school record three field goal attempts on special teams. His blocking helped Alex Collins become the second freshman in school history and 10th true freshman in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards. For his efforts, Skipper earned Freshman All-American honors.
As a sophomore, Skipper transitioned to left tackle and started all 13 games. He was part of an offensive line that led the SEC with only 14 sacks allowed. He contributed to Collins and Williams becoming the only FBS teammates to each rush for more than 1,000 yards during the 2014 season. Skipper received Associated Press All-SEC honorable-mention recognition for his play.
During his junior season, Skipper started all 13 games at right tackle and was named second-team All-SEC. He helped Collins become the third player in SEC history with three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons to begin a career. As a senior, he started all 13 games at left tackle and earned first-team All-SEC honors from multiple publications including the Coaches Poll, ESPN, Phil Steele, Athlon Sports, Lindy’s Sports, and Sporting News. He finished his Arkansas career with 51 games played, 47 consecutive starts (the second-longest streak in school history), and 7 career blocked field goals on special teams, a school record.
Dan Skipper Career
Early NFL Career (2017–2019)
Skipper went undrafted during the 2017 NFL Draft. It was speculated that he went undrafted due to a chronic blood condition discovered during prospect evaluations. After not receiving a contract as an undrafted free agent, Skipper attended the Dallas Cowboys rookie minicamp as a tryout candidate. He was signed to the Cowboys roster and competed for a spot during training camp. On September 2, 2017, he was waived by the Cowboys and signed to their practice squad the following day before being released later that month.
On September 25, 2017, Skipper was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad and later promoted to the active roster in October. He was waived later that same month and re-signed to the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract in January 2018. Skipper was waived by the Lions in September 2018 and spent time with the Denver Broncos practice squad before joining the New England Patriots practice squad in January 2019.
New England Patriots and Super Bowl Champion
Skipper was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad in January 2019. He was part of the Patriots Super Bowl LIII championship team when they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. Skipper signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots following the Super Bowl victory. He was released during final roster cuts in August 2019 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On October 16, 2019, Skipper was signed by the Houston Texans off the Patriots practice squad before being waived by the Texans later that season.
Detroit Lions Multiple Stints
On November 12, 2019, Skipper was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions. He was waived and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times during his first full season with Detroit. He was promoted to the active roster on December 14, 2019. Skipper appeared in a career-high 16 games during the 2022 season, starting five contests as an injury fill-in. He became a notable presence on the Lions offensive line during this period.
Skipper rejoined the Indianapolis Colts in August 2023 but was released during final roster cuts and spent time on their practice squad before returning to the Lions. On September 20, 2023, he was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad and promoted to the active roster on October 14. During the 2023 season, Skipper appeared in 11 games with one start. He made headlines during a Week 16 game against the Dallas Cowboys when a controversial penalty negated a potential game-winning two-point conversion. In the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, he caught a four-yard pass.
2024 Season and Final Playing Years
On March 14, 2024, Skipper re-signed with the Detroit Lions. During a Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys, nine months after the controversial two-point conversion penalty, Skipper reported as an eligible receiver on the first offensive play. In a game against the Buffalo Bills on December 15, Skipper caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff, marking his first career receiving touchdown in the NFL. Following a victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football that clinched a playoff berth for the Lions, Skipper became a viral moment when head coach Dan Campbell humorously acknowledged his post-game condition, saying, “There you go, Skip, keep throwing up!”
Skipper was released by the Lions on August 25, 2025, but was re-signed to their practice squad on August 27. He was promoted to the active roster on October 8, 2025. On January 22, 2026, Skipper announced his retirement from professional football after eight seasons in the NFL.
Playing Style and Strengths
Standing at 6 feet 10 inches, Skipper used his exceptional height to his advantage as an offensive tackle. His length allowed him to engage defenders at the edge and redirect pass rushers around the quarterback. Beyond his traditional offensive line duties, Skipper occasionally lined up at other positions, including defensive tackle and even catching passes as an eligible receiver, showcasing his versatility. His ability to play multiple positions made him a valuable depth piece for various teams throughout his career.
Dan Skipper Career Statistics
Throughout his eight-year NFL career, Skipper appeared in 69 games and started 16 contests. He recorded 2 receptions for 13 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. His receiving statistics came primarily during his later seasons with the Detroit Lions when he occasionally lined up as an eligible receiver.
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 69 |
| Games Started | 16 |
| Receptions | 2 |
| Receiving Yards | 13 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 1 |
College Honors and Achievements
During his four-year career at Arkansas, Skipper established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the SEC. He was recognized as a Freshman All-American in 2014, second-team All-SEC in 2015, and first-team All-SEC in 2016. His 47 consecutive starts rank as the second-longest streak in school history. He also holds the Arkansas career record with 7 blocked field goals on special teams.
Major College Awards
Skipper earned Super Bowl LIII championship honors with the New England Patriots in 2018. His collegiate accolades include Freshman All-American (2014), second-team All-SEC (2015), and first-team All-SEC (2016). These honors reflect his consistent dominance along the Razorbacks offensive line during his four seasons in Fayetteville.
Dan Skipper Coaching Career
Following his retirement from playing, Skipper transitioned to coaching. On February 11, 2026, the Detroit Lions hired him as an offensive assistant under head coach Dan Campbell. This marked a reunion with the organization where he spent significant portions of his playing career. Skipper began his coaching career with the same team he played for, bringing his experience as both an offensive tackle and occasional receiving threat to his new role guiding the Lions offensive line.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented one of Skipper’s most memorable campaigns despite joining the Detroit Lions mid-season on the active roster. After being released during initial roster cuts in August, he was re-signed to the practice squad and promoted to the active roster in October. His veteran experience and positional versatility provided valuable depth for a Lions team with playoff aspirations. The season showcased his ability to contribute in multiple roles, reinforcing why teams valued his services throughout his career. Skipper’s journey through multiple stints with the Lions exemplified his persistence and adaptability in the NFL, ultimately culminating in his transition to the coaching staff following his retirement in January 2026.