The Detroit Lions are still waiting on word from Taylor Decker about what he wants to do for 2026. If he's playing, it's likely going to be one of his last seasons with the team and in the NFL. If he's not, then it's the end to an excellent career with Detroit that, unfortunately, didn't end with a Super Bowl championship.
Decker's future hangs in the balance ahead of a key 2026 NFL Draft, and ahead of a free agency that isn't exactly brimming with affordable talent at left tackle. Of course, it's tough to figure out the best path forward at left tackle without a decision. Free agency would indicate Decker's gone, while the draft would indicate that he's sticking around for another year.
97.1 FM The Ticket's hosts Jim Costa and Jon Jansen recently went long on the topic, with Jansen saying that Decker doesn't necessarily "owe" the Lions a decision with the team a month away from free agency, but rather, an update on how he's feeling about the upcoming season.
"He owes them his thoughts at this time. His feelings of where he's going to be at that time. And the Lions, in turn, need to share the same...they're going to say, okay, we're drafting at 17. Do we believe that we can get the tackle, or, are there going to be 3, 4, is there only one tackle that they would want in the first round that could replace Taylor Decker...And if that is their plan for who's next after Taylor Decker, then no, he doesn't owe them a decision by the time free agency starts."
Lions radio hosts share unique perspective on Taylor Decker retirement decision
Costa added to Jansen's point about what the draft would signal to Decker that addressing tackle in free agency is, at the moment, a bit of a pipe dream.
"I just know the Lions cap situation is currently not good. They'll restructure some deals, Goff being the most obvious. They'll free up some space. But they want to know what they need to address in free agency. They need to know if they need to address tackle this offseason. They need the know from Taylor Decker."
After seeing what the Lions dealt with following Frank Ragnow's shocking retirement last offseason, you'd think there's some urgency on both sides to come to an understanding about Decker's role with the team in 2026. It's only February, so Decker has time to still let the team know ahead of the draft about his plans for this season.
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At the same time...Detroit cannot be faulted if they go for a big fish tackle in free agency following several contract resconstructions. It's tough to find starting caliber talent out of a rookie offensive lineman in Year 1, and even tougher for that rookie to have to step in to protect Jared Goff's blindside effectively in Year 1.
Free agency is likely Detroit's best bet to land a premier talent at that position, and at center.
If that's their plan, then they do owe it to Decker to tell him that they're essentially moving in another direction following his down year in 2025. And, Decker can't be that shocked if they take this route considering how burned they were following Ragnow's exit.
This is a complicated situation unfolding before free agency opens up in March, and one without an obvious solution until Decker says something.