Lions hiring former Steelers quarterback and UFL coach for first NFL coaching job, the player he could possibly bring with him
The Detroit Lions added another coach to their coaching staff on Thursday when they hired Bruce Gradkowski as an offensive assistant. You might remember Gradkowski as a career backup quarterback in the NFL from 2006 to 2016. The former sixth-round pick played for the Buccaneers, Rams, Browns Bengals, and Steelers. He started in 20 games […]
The Detroit Lions added another coach to their coaching staff on Thursday when they hired Bruce Gradkowski as an offensive assistant.
You might remember Gradkowski as a career backup quarterback in the NFL from 2006 to 2016. The former sixth-round pick played for the Buccaneers, Rams, Browns Bengals, and Steelers. He started in 20 games during that time. He never did play against the Lions.
After retiring in 2016, Gradkowski began his coaching career as a volunteer quarterbacks coach at Anthony Wayne High School in Ohio. From there he was the head coach at St. Francis De La Sales High School for a year and then became an offensive analyst for his alma mater Toledo the next year.
Gradkowski got his first pro coaching job for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL in 2023. He was their offensive coordinator for them for the last two seasons.
At this time Gradkowskis' job is being reported as an offensive assistant. Being Mark Brunell's assistant quarterbacks coach now that J.T. Barrett is gone makes a lot of sense.
One intriguing note, at least for me, is that Gradkowski spent last season working with UFL Offensive Player of the Year Hakeem Butler. The former fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft is someone who just hasn't had the best luck in the NFL, but could be a Tim Patrick-like story for the Lions if they choose to bring him in for training camp. Gradkowski's history with him could make that happen. We'll see.
Jack Fox talks return of one of Lions’ top coaches, message after early playoff exit, what areas he’s looking to get better in, new coaches
The Detroit Lions season is sadly over too early and we'll not be able to talk with players again anytime soon. Luckily we got one more shot to talk with Lions punter Jack Fox at the grand opening of Canes Chicken in Canton, MI on Tuesday. We talked with Fox about the Lions losing Ben […]
