Taylor Decker requests release from Detroit Lions in stunning turn
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Taylor Decker requests release from Detroit Lions in stunning turn
Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press·Detroit Free Press
·
4 min read
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TheDetroit Lionswill need a new left tackle after all.
Taylor Decker,the team's longest-tenured player, wrote in an Instagram post Friday, March 6, that he has requested his release from the team after 10 seasons.
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Decker's post comes a little over a week after he posted on social media that he intended to return for an 11th NFL season in 2026.
Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker takes the field during player introductions before the Detroit Lions game against the Carolina Panthers at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Taylor Decker celebrates and high-fives fans after the Detroit Lions' win against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit.
(Mike Mulholland, Getty Images)
Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker celebrates the 24-14 win over the Green Bay Packers as he exits the field at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Penei Sewell #58 and Taylor Decker #68 of the Detroit Lions celebrate after their team's 44-22 victory against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) gets ready for a play against Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Detroit Lions guard Graham Glasgow, left, talks to offensive tackle Taylor Decker after practice during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and left tackle Taylor Decker walk out from the tunnel and get ready to take the field against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Oct 20, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and left tackle Taylor Decker walk out from the tunnel and get ready to take the field against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) warms up ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
Detroit Lions guard Tate Ratledge (69), tackle Taylor Decker (68) and quarterback Jared Goff (16) take the field for the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
Taylor Decker of the Detroit Lions plays against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) practices during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Monday, July 28, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell hugs offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) during warmup before the Dallas Cowboys game at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) enters the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
(David Reginek, David Reginek-Imagn Images)
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) leads a huddle before a game against the New York Giants at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
(Finn Gomez, Detroit Free Press)
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) signs autographs on the back of Lilliana Lauretti, 1, of St. Clair Shores during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Monday, July 28, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker celebrate the Detroit Lions' 44-22 victory against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Maryland.
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) and center Frank Ragnow (77) walk off the field after training camp Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
(Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)
Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and first-round draft pick, Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker, take pictures during a press conference at the practice facility in Allen Park on Friday, May 29, 2016.
(Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)
1/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker takes the field during player introductions before the Detroit Lions game against the Carolina Panthers at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
1/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker takes the field during player introductions before the Detroit Lions game against the Carolina Panthers at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
2/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Taylor Decker celebrates and high-fives fans after the Detroit Lions' win against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit.
(Mike Mulholland, Getty Images)
3/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker celebrates the 24-14 win over the Green Bay Packers as he exits the field at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
4/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Penei Sewell #58 and Taylor Decker #68 of the Detroit Lions celebrate after their team's 44-22 victory against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
5/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) gets ready for a play against Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
6/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions guard Graham Glasgow, left, talks to offensive tackle Taylor Decker after practice during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
7/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and left tackle Taylor Decker walk out from the tunnel and get ready to take the field against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
8/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Oct 20, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images)
9/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and left tackle Taylor Decker walk out from the tunnel and get ready to take the field against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
10/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) warms up ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
11/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions guard Tate Ratledge (69), tackle Taylor Decker (68) and quarterback Jared Goff (16) take the field for the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
12/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Taylor Decker of the Detroit Lions plays against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
13/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) practices during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Monday, July 28, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
14/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell hugs offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) during warmup before the Dallas Cowboys game at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
15/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) enters the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
(David Reginek, David Reginek-Imagn Images)
16/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) leads a huddle before a game against the New York Giants at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
(Finn Gomez, Detroit Free Press)
17/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) signs autographs on the back of Lilliana Lauretti, 1, of St. Clair Shores during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Monday, July 28, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
18/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker celebrate the Detroit Lions' 44-22 victory against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Maryland.
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
19/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) and center Frank Ragnow (77) walk off the field after training camp Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
(Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)
20/20
Detroit Lions' Taylor Decker: A look at his time with the team
Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and first-round draft pick, Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker, take pictures during a press conference at the practice facility in Allen Park on Friday, May 29, 2016.
(Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)
"Things change," Decker wrote in his Friday post. "145 games started, 3 playoff appearances, 2 division titles, a decade carrying the shield. I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end.
"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 confirmed by text message that his decision was partly about money. TheLionswanted him to take a cut from the $14.9 base salary he was due this fall. The two sides could not agree on a new contract.
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Once they release Decker, who also was due a $1.5 million roster bonus, the Lions will free up about $11.6 million in cap room.
"I am opting for a clean and amicable close to what has been such a beautiful 10 years going to war as a Lion," Decker wrote on Instagram. "It has been the absolute privilege of my life to be your LT for the past 10 years and I am forever grateful for the opportunity the Ford family and Lions organization afforded me."
Deckerfirst disclosed to the Free Press he was considering retirement for family and health reasons in December and said after the season he might take a couple months to decide his future.
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Last week, he posted a picture on Instagram of him running out of the tunnel at Ford Field in a black Lions uniform, with the caption: "'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? And I said, 'Here am I; SEND ME!' #Year11"
Asked about Decker's future shortly before the post, Lions general manager Brad Holmes said, "Obviously Taylor, he's earned the right to have as much space as he needs to reflect on a long season and we respect him, we give him that. But obviously with the start of the new league year coming, that's obviously you want as much clarity as possible, so within these next couple of weeks we'll make sure that we have that clarity."
The Lions now enter the free-agent negotiating period next week with multiple needs on the offensive line, including at left tackle – though All-Pro right tacklePenei Sewellcould move to the position – and center.
Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker celebrates the 24-14 win over the Green Bay Packers as he exits the field at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
Decker, who turns 33 in August, has been a fixture at left tackle for the Lions since they took him with their first-round pick, No. 16 overall, in the 2016 draft.
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He has started 140 games over the past 10 seasons but has dealt with a variety of injuries throughout his career. Last year, Decker missed three games with a shoulder injury and played the rest of the year through nagging pain that he said made it difficult to do everyday things like pick up his kids and grab a cup off a shelf.
"Ideally, I would play. I would continue to play," Decker told the Free Press in December. "But I just need to sit and evaluate, and … this is not a decision that I want to make now or kind of consider right now, cause it would be an emotional decision. 'Cause like I said, right now, this has not been a fun year. But I know if I remove those variables that have made it unfun, I still enjoy playing football. And I think I'm playing really well."
The Lions have three other tackles on their roster for 2026: Sewell and backups Gio Manu andDevin Cochran.
