The Detroit Lions have filled one of the remaining coaching vacancies that was created by assistant coaches leaving to take promotions with other teams. The Lions are hiring Bruce Gradkowski as an offensive assistant.
Gradkowski was a longtime NFL quarterback, a journeyman who played for five teams in his career. He’s best known as the primary starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his rookie season of 2006.
This will be Gradkowski’s first NFL coaching opportunity, but he’s not new to the professional ranks. The 42-year-old was the offensive coordinator for the St. Louiis Battlehawks of the UFL for the last two seasons.
It’s unclear what Gradkowski’s initial role will be, but he makes sense as a direct replacement for former assistant QB coach J.T. Barrett, who joined Ben Johnson’s staff in Chicago. However, his play-calling experience and creative play designs with the Battlehawks could have Gradkowski in line for a more substantial role.