By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions have welcomed former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to their coaching staff for the 2025 season.
Gradkowski, who played 11 years in the NFL, had a journeyman career, playing for multiple teams after being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2006 draft. Throughout his career, he started 20 games, completing 375 of 709 passes for 4,057 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions.
In recent years, Gradkowski has transitioned into coaching, serving as the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Battlehawks in both the XFL and UFL. Under his guidance, the team showed impressive offensive output. In 2023, they ranked second in the XFL in scoring, averaging 24.9 points per game. The following year, despite switching to the UFL, the Battlehawks maintained their high level of performance, averaging 26.0 points per game, just trailing the Birmingham Stallions.
It is currently unknown what specific role Gradkowski will have with the Lions, whether it’s as a general offensive assistant or a more focused positional coach. Notably, the assistant quarterbacks coach position is open after J.T. Barrett moved to the Chicago Bears as quarterbacks coach following Ben Johnson’s departure.
Although there is no clear link between Gradkowski and the Lions’ current coaching staff, it’s worth noting that he did spend time with the St. Louis Rams during the 2008 training camp, when Lions general manager Brad Holmes was a scout for the team.