When Taylor Decker confirmed he would play an 11th NFL season in 2026, the chance he wouldn't do it in a Detroit Lions' uniform was nowhere on anyone's radar. Roughly a week later, citing unexpectedly difficult contract talks, Decker announced he had asked for and received his release.
Of course "contract talks" is a codephrase for the team asking him to take a pay cut, and that he didn't want to take that kind of pay adjustment. Decker confirmed that, via a text message to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press where he said the decision to ask for his release was "partly about money."
When he had previously been gun-ho to play what seemed likely to be his final season in Detroit, and thus spend his entire career as a Lion, I suppose 95 percent technically qualifies as "partly." The other five percent may have been rooted in "we're drafting your successor this year, and you may have to beat him out for the starting job."
The ship quickly sailed on any notion Decker would come back to the Lions. He also gave Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network a strong signal he will not sign with any NFC North team, even with one looking (and still looking) like a good fit.
New predicted landing spot for Taylor Decker lands as a real slap to the face
When he asked the Lions to release him before free agency, Decker surely didn't expect to still be available into May. If his asking price has kept teams away and he wants to play, it's time to adjust his financial expectations. He may also have to adjust the list of teams he's willing to sign with.
With the premise he'd still be an upgrade to the left tackle situation for some teams, Jacob Infante of Pro Football Network has Decker at No. 5 on his list of 25 remaining NFL free agents.
"Taylor Decker’s grading by PFSN’s OL Impact Scoring has been in average starter territory each of the last two seasons, which makes sense why the Lions cut him to free cap space with his hefty contract. He would still be an upgrade at left tackle over a handful of teams across the NFL."
Infante also predicted a landing spot for each of those 25 remaining free agents. His prediction for Decker lands as a firm slap in the face more than most.
"2026 Predicted Team: Miami Dolphins"
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The Dolphins shedded notable talent like a bearded dragon sheds outer layers of skin this offseason, and it's possible they'll continue to do so before Week 1 gets here. If they are Decker's best option, he might be better off retiring.
While no one likes to be told they aren't as valued as they once were, and/or their pay needs to better reflect that depressed perception of their value, Decker could have been the Lions' starting left tackle for one more year and called it a career.
Instead, he seemingly got offended by being asked to take a pay cut and asked to be released. So here he is, still available in May and with the Dolphins being put out there as his predicted landing spot.
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