Offensive lineman Taylor Decker experienced a wide range of emotions as a member of the Detroit Lions.
As a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, Decker immediately joined the starting lineup for a team that finished 9-7 and made a playoff appearance. Then came three years (2019-21) during which his team won a total of 11 games.
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Decker remained a mainstay at left tackle during Detroit’s resurgence under current head coach Dan Campbell. The 2023 Lions went 15-2 in the regular season and led the NFC Championship Game by 17 points before the San Francisco 49ers rallied for a 34-31 victory.
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On Friday, NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero reported Decker, the Lions’ longest-tenured player, announced he has requested and received his release. The move came less than two weeks after Decker said he would return to the Lions in 2026.
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Lions LT Taylor Decker, the team’s longest-tenured player, announced he requested and received his release after contract talks broke down. pic.twitter.com/VGrQvBCCYW
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2026
Decker, who turns 33 in August, released a statement on Instagram sharing the details of his departure. He was set to enter the second year of a three-year, $60 million contract extension he signed in July 2024.
“In the weeks since notifying the team of my return there have been numerous discussions. Many of which were a surprise to me, and we could not find common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release,” Decker said in the post.
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According to Spotrac, Decker’s release would clear $11.6 million in cap space. Decker was a Pro Bowl selection in 2024. He played and started 140 games during his Lions career.
“It has been the absolute privilege of my life to be your LT for the past 10 years,” Decker said in his post.
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