Lions' Taylor Decker Makes Decision on NFL Future amid Retirement Speculation

After contemplating retirement following the 2025 campaign, Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker has made his decision.

The veteran announced on Instagram that he plans to suit up for his 11th season in the NFL.

After the Lions' season ended, Decker, who fought through a shoulder injury in 2025, said he would "need to make informed decisions" over the offseason.

"I need to make informed decisions," Decker said. "I need to get second opinions. There's a lot that I have to do, because I want to make this decision moving forward informed. And I don't want to make it emotionally because if I make it emotionally, I already know what the answer is going to be. But it's a massive decision, and it's not only about me. It's about my kids."

Lions general manager Brad Holmes addressed Decker's possible retirement at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, noting that the team hoped to have an answer before the start of the league year.

"Yeah, I mean, 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," Holmes told reporters. "But, obviously, with the start of a new league year coming, you want as much clarity as possible. So, within these next couple of weeks, we'll make sure we have that clarity."

Head coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday that he wanted to allow Decker to take the time he needed to make a decision.

"Yeah, so I've left him alone," Campbell told reporters. "We had a conversation right when the season ended about just him taking his time to figure out if this is what he really feels like he wants to do, can do. And so I've left him alone there. I don't want to say we haven't had a conversation, but I'm leaving that between us."

Campbell added that Decker's return doesn't eliminate their need for depth at his position.

"If (the decision is he's not returning), then we've got to find a guy. But if it is, we still have to find a guy," Campbell said. "Because, as much as I love Deck, he's got some things that are going to need some management, and that's kind of where we're at. And so, one way or another, we're going to need somebody that can play over there, and that can help us if we need 'em in a crunch or we need 'em as a starter. So that's important."

While Campbell said that Detroit still has to "find a guy" to help fill in some gaps on the offensive line, Decker's return certainly makes things easier on the Lions, as they'll get a reliable veteran back in the mix as they try to turn things around in 2026.