The mystery over what the future holds for former Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker continues to grow, but if the latest report is true, you can cross two division rivals off the list for his next destination.
Justin Rogers, coming off his interview with Decker on DetroitFootball.net, joined the Lions Collective podcast to discuss Decker and other matters. As Rogers explained at the 15-minute mark, his discussion with Decker raised the big question of "What's next?"
"He wants to play for a winner. Yet, he’s kind of thinking about, ‘Is it cheap to go win somewhere else after you’ve invested all your energy emotionally and physically into one franchise?’
I will tell you that he’s pretty anti-playing for the Bears or Packers. That’s the Lions background in him. I know Ben Johnson did it, and that was the right situation for him, but Taylor feels kind of dirty about the idea. It just isn’t interesting to him, so I think it's a situation where I could see him joining a team mid-season. The further he gets away from football and games being played, an injury happens somewhere, that right offer occurs. I could also see him not playing."
Lions fans can breathe a sigh of relief. There was plenty of speculation and predictions about Decker going to the Chicago Bears, given the ties to current head coach Ben Johnson and their need for a tackle. Former teammate wide receiver Kalif Raymond already made the jump to Chicago, so who's to say another former Lions wouldn't?
In Rogers' interview with Decker, the former Lion also expressed his disappointment in the lack of communication with coaches and the front office, but did mention Johnson calling him after his release. That amplified speculation that a scorned Decker could play for the Bears as a show of gratitude for Johnson reaching out and bitterness for Dan Campbell and others not doing so.
The Green Bay Packers were seen as an under-the-radar candidate after starting LT Rasheed Walker left to sign a surprisingly cheap deal with the Carolina Panthers. The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, are presumably set with Christian Darrisaw at LT, who should enter 2026 healthier than he has been since before his ACL injury in 2024.
Decker doesn't want to ruin his Lions legacy
Decker's departure from the Lions has been messy. It also didn't help the Lions' image after reports came out shortly after that the team has continued their tradition of requesting retired legends partially return their bonuses, this time with center Frank Ragnow.
It's unknown if that was on Decker's mind as he requested his release while contemplating retirement, but, according to Rogers, Decker "wants to be remembered as a Lion, to the point where he wants back in the fold" after his playing career is officially done. Rogers adds that Decker wants to return to the Lions, sign the ceremonial one-day contract to retire as a Lion, and then continue to make appearances with the team like other team greats, regardless of how this season plays out for him.
READ MORE: Lions legend joins the party to criticize handling of Frank Ragnow situation
As of now, it doesn't appear there will be any longstanding bitterness between Decker and the franchise, like was the case for legends like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson. While Decker was never considered on the level of Sanders and Johnson, he spent a decade with the team through thick and thin, leaving his mark as the longest-tenured Lion at the time of his release. It would've been heartbreaking to see a detachment with him, as well.
It's going to take some time getting used to seeing the Lions without Decker, and it would be even stranger if we see him in another uniform. Thankfully, if he plays with another franchise in 2026, fans won't have to stomach seeing him in a Bears or Packers uniform. A true Lion through and through.