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Lions Block Dolphins’ Bid to Interview Bruce Gradkowski as Miami Hires Bush Hamdan

Detroit used interview rules that allow teams to block lateral moves, prompting Miami to pivot to college coach Bush Hamdan.

Overview

  • Detroit denied Miami permission to interview offensive assistant Bruce Gradkowski for the Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach vacancy, according to multiple reports.
  • NFL policy permits teams to block lateral moves such as position-coach roles but does not allow them to prevent interviews for bona fide promotions.
  • Following the denial, the Dolphins hired Mississippi State associate head coach Bush Hamdan as their quarterbacks coach, a move confirmed by a league source.
  • Miami had briefly agreed to hire Nathaniel Hackett for the job before he departed within a week to become the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator.
  • Gradkowski joined Detroit in 2025 after coordinating the St. Louis Battlehawks’ offense in the XFL and UFL, and his retention is viewed as a sign of his value within the Lions’ staff.