Taylor Decker Granted Release by Lions After Failed Contract Talks Ahead of NFL Free Agency

Veteran offensive tackle Taylor Decker announced Friday that he requested and was granted his release by the Detroit Lions after the two sides were unable to find "common ground" in contract talks.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Decker was due $18.2 million in 2026, and he would have been paid a $1.5M roster bonus if he was still with the team on March 15. Pelissero added that the parties discussed a contract restructure before the decision was made to part ways.

Originally selected 16th overall by the Lions in the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State, Decker has spent his entire 10-year NFL career in Detroit.

The 32-year-old veteran started all 140 of the regular-season games he appeared in for the Lions, including 14 contests last season.

A Pro Bowl selection for the first and only time in his career in 2024, Decker also started five playoff games for the Lions during his time with the organization.

Since playing a full slate of games in three of his first five seasons, Decker has dealt with some injury issues over the past five campaigns.

Aside from 2022 when he started all 17 games, Decker has missed at least two games in four of the past five seasons.

Decker signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Lions in 2024, but he will not see it through until the end, as his release occurred with two years left on his deal.

The Lions must now find a new left tackle, but the solution at that spot may already be on the roster.

Starting right tackle Penei Sewell, who was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, is a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro over his five NFL seasons.

Given the importance of left tackle, shifting Sewell over to that side and then bringing in a new right tackle may be the best course of action for the Lions.

The Lions could look toward free agency or the draft to fill that hole, or they could go with an in-house option such as 2023 fifth-round pick Colby Sorsdal or 2024 fourth-round pick Giovanni Manu.

Whoever takes that spot will be part of a supremely talented offensive headlined by quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta.

The Lions disappointed by missing the playoffs with a 9-8 record last season, but they are a prime candidate to bounce back and return to the postseason in 2026.