Taylor Decker Dan Campbell Ben Johnson
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Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox named the Chicago Bears one of the best fits for former Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker.
The Detroit Lions went through a tough departure this offseason with Taylor Decker.
The team said goodbye to veteran at the beginning of NFL free agency after 10 years of Decker blocking on the blindside of Detroit’s offensive line.
There’s one thing, though, that could make his exit even harder — seeing Decker join former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox sees that as a distinct possibility. On Saturday, Knox named the Bears one of the best fits for Decker in NFL free agency.
“Decker may be entering the back end of his career, but he’s still a starting-caliber left tackle and has been for some time. Decker has started 140 games across 10 seasons and was ranked 41st overall among all tackles by Pro Football Focus in 2025,” wrote Knox.
“While there aren’t many teams lacking a left tackle at this point in the offseason, the Chicago Bears would provide Decker with a perfect pairing. Chicago recently picked up Jedrick Wills Jr.—who hasn’t played since 2024 due to a knee injury—but recently released former starter Braxton Jones.
“The Bears also employ former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their head coach.”
Lions Parted Ways With LT Taylor Decker
In his goodbye message to Detroit on social media, Decker explained that he requested to be released after “numerous discussions” where he and the team didn’t “find common ground.”
The left tackle didn’t specifically state what those discussions were, but said they were surprising.
The Detroit Free Press’s Dave Birkett reported on March 9 the team asked him to take “a steep pay cut.”
Before his release, Decker had a $14.9 million base salary and $1.5 million roster bonus. Cutting the veteran left tackle saved the Lions roughly $11.6 million against the salary cap.
Since his release, the Lions signed offensive tackle Larry Borom. But more than likely, Borom will start at right tackle while Lions incumbent right tackle Penei Sewell will replace Decker at left tackle.
The Lions drafted Decker at No. 16 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. He started all 140 of his games for Detroit, becoming a cornerstone for the franchise.
From 2023-24, he was part of one of the best offensive lines in the league. Decker made his only Pro Bowl with the Lions during the 2024 campaign.
Last season, Decker didn’t post as good of a grade as he usually does at Pro Football Focus. But he was still a well-above average player based on the PFF grade system.
Decker will turn 33 years old in August.
Could Decker Join Chicago Bears?
In Chicago, the Bears have some uncertainty at left tackle. As Knox mentioned, the Bears released former starter Braxton Jones. Theo Benedet and Ozzy Trapilo, though, played more snaps at left tackle than Jones did in 2025.
Chicago also added reclamation project Jedrick Wills Jr. to the offseason roster. The former No. 10 overall pick didn’t play in the NFL last year.
If the Bears were going to add Decker, they probably wouldn’t have signed Wills. But if they have a change of heart at left tackle, then Decker could provide an immediate short-term upgrade.
That would be far from ideal, though, for the Lions fans. The Bears already added former Lions wide receiver and punter Kalif Raymond to their offense this offseason. Seeing the 10-year veteran Lions left tackle go to Chicago too would be really tough.