Taylor

Decker

In an article by Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers, Decker provided his timeline of the events that led to him requesting his release earlier this month. Most notably, Decker, who will turn 33 in August, was irked when the Lions asked him to take a pay cut after he announced on social media that he was returning for next season during the NFL combine. Decker believes it was made clear in his exit interview days after the end of the regular season that the Lions wanted him back as the starting left tackle and that he wouldn’t take a pay cut. Once the Lions asked him to take a pay cut, he considered the idea only for a few minutes before rejecting it. Decker told Rogers his interpretation of the pay cut request was that it was the Lions’ way of telling him he’s not the guy anymore after 10 years of starting at left tackle in Detroit. Still unsigned, Decker is mentally ready and physically confident he can play another season, though it’s still unclear if he will play. If he does, Decker could find a new team in the post-draft wave of free agency.

A cornerstone of the Lions’ franchise since 2016, Decker requested and was granted his release after contract negotiations between him and the team broke down, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Decker announced in late February that he would return for the 2026 season, and while the belief was he would continue to play for the Lions, the 10-year vet will now be finding a new place to call home. Decker tied a season-low last season when he allowed just two sacks on 551 pass block snaps, and was named a Pro Bowler for the first time in 2024. Decker had two years left on his contract, but his release, which will likely be designated post-June 1, will save $17.9 million in cap space for the Lions in 2026 and $21 million in 2027.

He had contemplated retirement after seemingly spending the entire year on the injury report with a shoulder injury. It’s a big keep for the Lions, who appeared to have no real pathway to another stalwart left tackle from the outside. Decker’s return should solidify some of the offseason questions and direction for the Lions.

With Taylor Decker considering retirement after 10 seasons with the Lions, it’s no surprise the team is preparing in case the 31-year-old indeed decides to call it quits. While the Lions could address their long-term need at tackle with their first round pick, which is 17th overall, the organization will certainly sign a free agent tackle before then if Decker retires. The Lions are approaching this situation proactively after center Frank Ragnow retired late last offseason, which left the team unprepared. Braden Smith, Rasheed Walker, Trent Brown and Jermaine Eluemunor are some of the free agent tackles that could make sense for the Lions.

Decker spoke with reporters post-game, breaking the news that he may have played his final down in the NFL. The 31-year-old left tackle expressed a desire to focus on fatherhood after an injury-impacted 10th professional season. Decker played through a shoulder injury for much of the year and is physically unable to play catch with his young son at this time. Decker signed a three-year, $60 million extension in 2024, keeping him under contract through 2027. Were Decker to retire, Lions RT Penei Sewell, 25, would likely move over to the left side of the line. Decker earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024. Sewell is a four-time defending Pro Bowl player and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and 2024.

Decker was already questionable with a shoulder injury that he has been playing through, but now adds an illness designation just hours before the Lions’ Week 17 game against the Vikings. We just saw Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez ruled out with an illness after he was added to the injury report in a similar fashion, so Decker looks to be truly questionable to play on Christmas day.

He’s playing. Decker has played through the shoulder issue for weeks despite being listed as questionable. Fellow offensive lineman Christian Mahogany is also listed as questionable. He got in three limited practices this week and should be good to go as well.

Decker has been gutting it out on game day for months now. Lions C Graham Glasgow missed Thursday and Friday’s practices with a knee injury. Lions OG Christian Mahogany practiced fully twice before downgrading to limited on Friday. He is attempting to return from injured reserve after fracturing a fibula in Week 9.

As usual. Decker has played through this injury for most of the season, so we’d expect him to be out there on Sunday despite a lack of practice time.

St. Brown was unable to practice this week after injuring his ankle last Thursday against the Packers. While he possesses some re-injury risk, he was moving very well during warmups and should be started against the Cowboys this evening. The Lions declared S Kerby Joseph, WR Kalif Raymond, OG Kayode Awosika, TE Hayden Rucci, DL Mekhi Wingo and DL Tyler Lacy inactive for Week 14 against the Cowboys. Lions RT Penei Sewell (shoulder), LT Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest) and C Graham Glasgow (knee) are active.