It is not uncommon for former NFL players to return to the league through the coaching ranks. This past week, the Detroit Lions hired a former Bucs quarterback as an offensive assistant.
Bruce Gradkowski, who was with the Bucs for two seasons after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, was hired by the Lions on Friday.
Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report the hire for the Lions. Detroit coach Dan Campbell is known for hiring former players to build on his staff, and the approach has proven to be beyond fruitful for him and his players. The team lost several coordinators and assistants this offseason, many of which were former players.
Gradkowski joins the NFL after coaching the St. Louis Battlehawks as their offensive coordinator for two seasons. Apart from playing for the Bucs, he also notably played quarterback for the Steelers, Bengals, Raiders, and Browns.