The Detroit Lions made a surprising move on Friday that could pique the interest of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers.
Lions left tackle Taylor Decker announced on his Instagram that he has requested his release, and the team has granted it.
The reason for Decker's release is the Lions were looking for him to take a pay cut after a lackluster 2025 campaign, and the left tackle, who had two more years left on his $60 million contract, clearly wasn't with it.
Decker is getting up there in age (33 in August) and it's true he didn't play up to the standard we've seen out of him during his career, but the veteran was also battling through a shoulder injury all season.
Even with all that, Decker still posted a solid enough season that will ensure he stays a starter with any team he lands with.
The former Pro Bowler gave up two sacks and 33 pressures and posted Pro Football Focus grades of 69.5 in pass-blocking and 62.1 in run-blocking.
Why Bears, Steelers, 49ers could have interest
The Bears enter the offseason with a huge question mark at left tackle after Ozzy Trapilo suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in the wild-card round, which leaves Trapilo's status for 2026 up in the air.
Of course, Bears head coach Ben Johnson was with Decker in Detroit and one would assume he will be very interested in a reunion with the left tackle.
The Steelers are in a similar boat as the Bears.
Pittsburgh's left tackle, Broderick Jones, suffered a neck injury in 2025 that ended up requiring fusion surgery and his status remains in question. Jones hasn't exactly lived up to his first-round billing during his career, either.
In San Francisco, the Niners and left tackle Trent Williams could part ways, as the two sides have been unable to hammer out a new contract, which could lead to the Niners releasing the star left tackle, who has a massive 2026 cap hit.
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