When he asked the Detroit Lions to release him back in March, it's fair to say Taylor Decker didn't envision still being available as July approaches. There is surely a solid market for a capable veteran left tackle, right?
Decker made it clear a team that felt like a perfect fit, the Chicago Bears, was not of interest to him as a division rival of his former team. That has left him with few options, with the potential he waits as long as possible, even into the season, for the right situation.
It's also possible Decker decides to retire if that ideal situation doesn't come his way.
Apart from what seems to be a miscalculation of what the market for his services would be when he asked to be released, Decker openly acknowledged he was considering retirement before last season was over.
In the same conversation with Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, he also suggested a shoulder that has been operated on multiple times will probably never be totally right again.
Any team in the market for a left tackle can be excused for being hesitant to sign someone who not only seems to have one foot out the door, but probably isn't totally healthy.
Taylor Decker has been tied to team that'll put him completely off the Lions' radar for 2026
The list of teams Decker would sign with is naturally short, and contender-focused. While a team like the Miami Dolphins might have interest, he's not joining a team that's closer to a top-five pick in the 2027 draft than they are to being a playoff contender this year.
Every list of top available NFL free agents has Decker on it. Focusing on offensive players, as Moe Moton of Bleacher Report has done, pushes the former Lion up said lists.
Moton matched seven top offensive free agents with a most ideal landing spot heading toward training camp. His proposed landing spot for Decker isn't new, but it still makes sense.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers have a question mark at left tackle. At that position, Broderick Jones has struggled in pass protection, and the team doesn't have a timetable for his full return from a neck injury."
"Troy Fautanu took reps at left tackle during the spring, but he lined up exclusively on the right side through his first two seasons."
"With Decker in the fold, the Steelers can adopt a measured approach to addressing their tackle spots. Jones could take his time in recovery. Fautanu would move back to right tackle. The coaching staff could bring rookie first-rounder Max Iheanachor along gradually as a swing player at the position."
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Aaron Rodgers has publicly said the 2026 season will be his last. Regardless of if you believe that or not, the Steelers are all-in for as long as he's their starting quarterback. At his age he has clearly shown an aversion for being hit a lot, with short passes and getting the ball out his hands quickly a growing priority. Even with that in mind, protecting him well can't be left to chance.
Moving Fautanu over to left tackle, with Jones' recovery timeline from a neck injury unclear, isn't ideal. Then a rookie, as promising as Iheanachor is, would presumably be the immediate starter at right tackle. Also not very ideal.
As long as Jones ' health remains a question, the Steelers and Decker look like a great match. Maybe something is in the works, ready to be formalized when training camp is closer. And while the Lions weren't likely to see Decker this season no matter where he signed, going to Pittsburgh would completely eliminate that outside of a potential (and unlikely) Super Bowl matchup.
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