1. Extend Taylor Decker and free up $9.9 million
Decker is entering the final year of his contract. As the offseason started he made it absolutely clear what he wants (via MLive).
"I definitely want to end my career here,” Decker said.....Of course you want money, but for me, I like being here. I love being here.....Whatever happens with the contract, I don’t know. There’s been nothing of substance (with negotiations) so far. But ultimately, do I want to be here forever? One-hundred percent. So, we’ll see.”
For Decker, the longest-tenured player on the team, to be a Lion for his entire career like he wants to be it's going to take two to tango. But it's safe to assume the feeling is mutual, and Decker should have a lot of good years left in his career as he enters his age-31 season. He's a core member of one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, not to mention tough to replace with anyone who's near his equal as a left tackle.
A contract extension for Decker is probably somewhere on the Lions' radar this offseason, it's just a matter of negotiating length, new money etc. in what should not be a contentious negotiation. Getting it done could clear $9.99 million in cap space for Detroit, and it's a very easy way to drop Decker's $19.1 million cap hit for this year.