Lions’ best backup expected to leave Detroit for a $2.5 million deal with Bears

In 2024, the Detroit Lions offense ranks first in the NFL in points per game (33.3) and second in yards per game (410.5). Though quarterback Jared Goff, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Detroit’s skill players are mostly responsible for the offense’s success, the Lions’ offensive line is also one of the most dominating in football.

Detroit’s starting five offensive line is perhaps the finest in the league, but the team’s top backup, Dan Skipper, is also an important part of the attack. Skipper has started five games for the Lions this season, but his primary duty in most games is to act as an additional offensive lineman, assisting Detroit’s rushing offense.

According to Isaac Zuniga of Last Word on Sports, Skipper, the most valuable backup in football, is expected to leave Detroit and join the Chicago Bears on a one-year, $2.5 million contract.

Zuniga predicts Chicago will sign Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman, Philadelphia Eagles guard Mekhi Becton, and Miami Dolphins guard Robert Jones to the offensive line this summer. He also forecasts that Chicago will employ Ben Johnson, the Lions’ offensive coordinator, as its next head coach.

“It’s hard to imagine Ryan Poles investing heavily in more than two offensive line starters,” Zuniga said. “Instead, the Bears might look at Miami Dolphins guard Robert Jones as a cheaper option. For depth, Ben Johnson might bring in Dan Skipper, a familiar face.

Skipper would be an excellent depth addition for the Bears, as the 30-year-old would add versatility to the offensive line and could play as the sixth offensive lineman, similar to his position in Detroit. Skipper has performed well as a left tackle this season, allowing only one sack and 11 quarterback pressures on 135 pass-blocking attempts and earning a 61.0 PFF pass-blocking rating.

The Lions will want to keep Skipper this offseason, as the former undrafted free agent is critical to Detroit’s offensive system and well-liked in the locker room. But if the former Arkansas Razorback isn’t a Lion by 2025, the Bears may be an enticing destination for Skipper.

Confirmed: Wayne Fonte, former head coach of the Detroit Lions, has signed a two-year contract worth $58.6 million with Tampa Bay

In an unexpected but wonderful turn of events, Wayne Fontes, the former head coach of the Detroit Lions and a beloved figure in the franchise’s history, has signed a two-year contract worth $58.6 million with the Lions.

This time, Fontes returns as a Senior Football Advisor, a position aimed to use his extensive expertise and knowledge of the game to assist define the team’s future.

Fontes’ new position follows his time as a special consultant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Lions are bringing back the man who led them through one of their most remarkable times in history, signifying a renewed commitment to excellence and a return to the franchise’s heritage.

A Legendary Return.

Wayne Fontes, who led the Lions from 1988 to 1996, is the franchise’s winningest head coach, with 67 victories. During his career, he guided the club to four postseason berths, including the historic 1991 season in which the Lions advanced to the NFC Championship game, an accomplishment that remains a highlight of the team’s history.

Fontes’ return to Detroit is viewed as a full circle event for both the coach and the franchise. His enthusiasm for the Lions and ability to connect with both players and fans make him an ideal candidate for this advising role.

Why did the Lions make this move?

The decision to reinstate Fontes as a Senior Football Advisor demonstrates the Lions’ commitment to merging their illustrious history with their future goals. Under head coach Dan Campbell, the club has made considerable improvement, and Fontes’ addition brings another layer of knowledge to the organization.

Fontes will allegedly prioritize player development, mentorship, and strategic planning, collaborating closely with the coaching staff and front office to assure the team’s upward trajectory.

“Wayne Fontes is a cornerstone of our history and a true football mind,” stated Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp. “Having him back with the organization is a testament to our respect for his contributions and our belief in his ability to help us achieve greatness.”

Fontes Upon His Return

Fontes expressed thanks and enthusiasm at the opportunity to return to Detroit.

“The Detroit Lions have always held a special place in my heart,” Fontes told reporters. “To be back with the organization, to help it grow, and to work with this new generation of players and coaches—it’s a dream come true.” I’m here to do anything I can to help bring a title to this city and its amazing supporters.”

Fan Reactions

The announcement of Fontes’ return has sparked a surge of enthusiasm among Lions supporters. Many people have great recollections of his era and see his return as a positive step in establishing the team’s identity and cultivating a winning culture. Fans on social media have been reminiscing about the great days of the early 1990s and hoping that Fontes’ skills can help the Lions attain similar success.

What is next for the Lions?

With Fontes on board, the Lions are set to capitalize on their recent success. The combination of Dan Campbell’s aggressive coaching style and Fontes’ seasoned approach to the game results in a dynamic leadership combo capable of propelling the Lions to new heights.

As the Lions prepare for the upcoming season, Wayne Fontes’ return gives a sense of hope and enthusiasm to the team and its devoted fan base. Fontes’ efforts, whether in terms of draft strategy, teaching young players, or establishing the team’s long-term vision, are likely to have a big influence.

This agreement is more than simply a contract; it is a reunion of past and present, a celebration of legacy, and a bold move toward the Lions’ future. Detroit supporters will definitely be watching closely as their club begins this new chapter with Wayne Fontes back in the fold.

Jared Goff Explains How Backups Help Him Prepare

Goff provides insight into how the quarterback room prepares for games.

On Thursday, the Detroit Lions’ quarterback room welcomed back a familiar face.

After acquiring Teddy Bridgewater, the Lions now have three active quarterbacks and one on the practice squad. Starter Jared Goff relies on everyone in the room to prepare for each opponent.

Bridgewater is no stranger to the Lions; he was with them last year before resigning to coach high school football in Florida. After winning the state title in his first season as a coach, he decided to come out of retirement and join the Lions for the remainder of the season.

Each quarterback is responsible for their own part of the game preparation process. Jake Fromm, a practice squad quarterback, evaluates the proportion of man or zone coverage deployed by opponent defenders in various situations.

Bridgewater and Hendon Hooker contribute significantly to position coach Mark Brunell’s collaborative team atmosphere. The procedure is incredibly comprehensive until the night before the game, when the entire room will go over every detail of the game plan.

“They all do a ton, whether it’s breaking down the stuff early percentage wise, like getting the percentages and Jake (Fromm) does a lot of that weekly of, what’s the percentages of what they play on certain downs, and then through the week, just little quizzes here and there, making sure we’re on our stuff,” Goff told reporters. “The night before the game, we’ll go over everything, and they’ll keep me on my toes.” Now, Teddy (Bridgewater) is a guy I said last year, a guy who’s played, a guy who’s played in big games, he’s got the experience, and I can rely on him for some of those things. He’s a veteran with valuable expertise.”

Brunell, who has tutored the Lions’ quarterbacks since 2021, agreed that there is a lot that goes into preparation each week. In addition to the coaches’ time, the group of passers frequently spent a significant amount of time reviewing footage together.

“It’s a daily review of the game plan. They watch tapes together. “We spend a lot of time with them,” Brunell explained. “They spent a significant amount of time simply in the room without the coaches, studying footage, talking over things, and going over different situations. Adding Teddy to that, as you could expect, is a great advantage for us since he has seen it all. And he simply has a different viewpoint, that of a man who has been out there and played in this league for a long time. This year, I discovered that he is a really clever person and an excellent coach. But he’s fantastic, and a lot goes into it.”

Returning to San Francisco.

The Lions recall the pain of walking off the field at Levi’s Stadium while confetti fell.

As the club returns to the site of their NFC Championship loss in January, they’re ready to continue their quest of the top seed in the postseason against the team that kicked them out just one game shy of their ultimate objective.

Goff stated Thursday that the Lions had grown from their experience late last season. It acted as fuel for this year’s group, which adopted the tagline ‘It Takes More’ as the campaign’s theme.

“Anytime you go deep in the playoffs, and you go through a game like that, you learn, you grow, you get better, you get closer, all that stuff comes into play,” Mr. Goff said. “We felt so close to winning that game and we came up short, but yeah, it served us well this season and hopefully as we go into the postseason.”

Amon-Ra St. Brown, a wide receiver, believes that the team has evolved from last year’s setback, despite the addition of new players.

The sting from the setback is not fresh, but the game is critical to Detroit’s chances of winning the NFC’s top seed.

“It happened over a year ago. It ached and really stung at the moment. But I believe it has helped us all grow as players and coaches,” St. Brown added. “We have some new faces on the team, but many of the same players from last year. It was a difficult loss for us last year. We’re pleased about the new year because it allows us to craft our own tale.

Christian Booher

Sports journalist who has covered the Detroit Lions for the last three NFL seasons. Christian delivers experienced analysis, insights, and the ability to objectively appraise the team’s performance in a competitive NFC North division.