Detroit Lions hire former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett as offensive assistant

The Detroit Lions have added a recognizable name to their coaching staff, hiring former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett as an offensive assistant.

Rookies report for Detroit Lions training camp on Saturday, and they’ve also added to their coaching staff. Per the team’s announcement, former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett has been hired as an offensive assistant.

Barrett’s playing career just recently ended. He signed a contract with the Edmonton Elks in the CFL in January, but after a season-ending injury in March the Elks moved him to the retired list. It appears he has officially retired as a player.

Barrett had a record-setting college career at Ohio State, setting Big Ten records for total yards, total touchdowns, touchdown passes and Player of the Week Awards.

Barrett went undrafted in 2018. He first landed on the New Orleans Saints, spending the 2018 season and part of the 2019 campaign on the practice squad. In New Orleans he overlapped with Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who were assistants under Sean Payton.

Between stints with the Saints, Barrett spent time on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad. After the Saints let him go for the second time in October of 2019, he spent the rest of that season on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad. The Steelers signed him to a reserve/futures contract, but waived him in early August of 2020.

Barrett never threw an NFL regular season pass.

J.T. Barrett joins Lions staff filled with former players

A former NFL player himself of course, Campbell filled his staff with former NFL players–Glenn, Duce Staley, Mark Brunell, Antwaan Randle El, Kelvin Sheppard and Hank Fraley. Barrett is on the list now, though as mentioned he never saw regular season action in the league.

Barrett’s role on the Lions’ staff is not exactly known yet, but the step into coaching is notable itself.

Via Cleveland.com back in 2017, albeit entering his final college start, here’s what he said about the possibility of coaching when his playing days were done.

"A coach?” Barrett asked. “No, I don’t see that.”"

Barrett apparently had a change of heart, and he’s taking an opportunity to stay close to the game as a coach.