Teams around the NFL are still finalizing their coaching staffs for the 2026 season, and it appears there are still some organizations interested in Detroit Lions coaches. According to a report from Jordan Schultz, the Miami Dolphins, under new head coach Jeff Hafley, wanted to interview Lions offensive assistant Bruce Gradkowski for their vacant quarterbacks coach job. However, the Lions blocked that interview request.
Teams are allowed to block interview requests if the job they’d be interviewing for would not be a promotion. While “offensive assistant” to “quarterbacks coach” certainly seems like a promotion, the NFL rules considers promotions to be based on three levels of coaching: assistant/position coach, coordinator, head coach. Because offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach are considered positional coaching jobs, this would be a lateral move for Gradkowski, therefore allowing the Lions to intervene.
Lions coach Dan Campbell has said in the past that he doesn’t want to get in the way of a coach’s overall advancement in their careers, so this is a somewhat rare move from Detroit. However, it does likely speak to their respect for Gradkowski and the potential they see in the young Lions coach.
Gradkowski, who spent a decade in the NFL as a quarterback, joined the Lions’ coaching staff just last year. It was his first opportunity to coach at the NFL level after spending time among the coaching ranks at the high school, college (Toledo), and XFL/UFL level (St. Louis Battlehawks). He’s already severed many roles, including assistant quarterbacks coach, head coach, offensive coordinator, and offensive assistant.
Last year, despite his background as a quarterback, Gradkowski spent the season assisting Scottie Montgomery with the receivers as he continues to build out his resumé.
The Lions are expected to announce their full 2026 coaching staff sometime in the near future. It will be interesting to see if Gradkowski has an elevated role or if he’ll continue to work with Detroit’s talented receiving corps.
