It’s been a quiet market for former Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker since the team granted his release request last month. That isn’t to say that the market has been cold, necessarily—Decker could simply be taking his time, weighing his options, and is likely still considering retirement. However, according to one Detroit Lions beat writer, one thing that is unlikely to happen is Decker signing with an NFC North rival.
During an episode of the Lions Collective podcast, Detroit Football Network’s
Justin Rogers revealed that in his long one-on-one conversation with Decker—detailing his frustrations with the lack of communication from the Lions—he also revealed that Decker doesn’t want to tarnish his Lions legacy by signing with a rival.
“He wants to play for a winner (but) he’s kinda thinking about, ‘Is it cheap to win somewhere else after you’ve invested all your energy emotionally and physically into one franchise?’” Rogers said. “I will tell you that he’s pretty anti-playing for the Bears and Packers. That’s the Lions background. I know Ben Johnson did it and that was the right situation for him, but Taylor feels kinda dirty about the idea. It just isn’t interesting to him.”
In fact, Rogers said Decker’s only intention this offseason was to stay in Detroit. He wasn’t even considering other options.
“His sole goal—and I’m not even thinking about this, he said this—his sole vision was coming back to play for the Lions. That was his vision,” Rogers said. “So requesting his release, he didn’t really think forward about what was next.”
This is an interesting development because there has been a lot of speculation about whether Decker would reunite with Johnson in Chicago. The Bears starter at left tackle last year, Ozzy Trapilo, suffered a serious injury in the playoffs that could jeopardize his entire 2026 season, and some wondered aloud whether Decker could come in as a short-term replacement. The Packers, too, have questions at left tackle after letting Rasheed Walker go in free agency. But it appears Decker would prefer to find some other situation that more aligns with his Lions identity.
And, remember, Decker has already expressed a desire to a retire a Detroit Lion, even after requesting his release from the team.
