Taylor Decker is back, but how will that decision impact the Detroit Lions going forward?
Detroit’s long-time starting left tackle announced last week that he will return for the 2026 campaign, helping them answer one of their offensive line questions before the offseason officially starts. In theory, Detroit now enters free agency with both starting tackles entrenched for next season.
However, does Decker’s return change how the Lions should approach the offseason? Many viewed offensive tackle as one
of Detroit’s biggest need in free agency and the draft—is that still the case with him back in the fold for at least another season?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Should Taylor Decker’s return change the Detroit Lions’ offseason strategy?
My answer: No, but it gives them added flexibility.
The need for a tackle of the future is remains unchanged with or without Decker in the fold. Even though the veteran is returning for 2026, it is likely that this song and dance will continue until the day he finally retires. If they want to avoid a Frank Ragnow situation, they need to address tackle in some capacity this season, and the draft is the best avenue to do so.
That being said, Decker’s return means that tackle goes from a must-have offseason acquisition to just a high priority. Should the Lions be in the market for an early-round tackle? Certainly, I would be supportive of a first- or second-round pick being spent on the offensive line. However, they no longer have to draft for need—if there is a run on offensive linemen, the Lions will not be forced to reach for the next tier of prospect. Given the needs along the defensive line and secondary, Detroit can instead focus on the best value available to them.
Drafting an early tackle prospect would not only give the Lions a plan for the future, but it would also bolster their present-day depth. For one, they would instantly slot into the OT3 role, a role vacated by the retirement of Dan Skipper. Given Decker’s injury history, there is a high probability that this OT3 will see starting reps over the course of the season.
Additionally, given the uncertainty on the interior of the offensive line, the Lions could also slot their rookie offensive tackle at guard for 2026, then shift them back outside when the tackle spot opens up. Between this rookie, Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany, Miles Frazier, and perhaps a free agent, the Lions would likely have their starting interior—albeit with an unknown order. There are a fair number of top prospects (Spencer Fano, Kadyn Proctor, Caleb Tiernan, among others) that have the skillset to play inside or outside, giving Detroit many options when their picks are due.
Free agency could still be an option for Detroit, but it was one that I never envisioned as a sure-fire solution. Detroit was never going to splurge on a top tackle, and a lower-tier tackle like Jonah Williams or Jermaine Eluemunor would not have eliminated the value of spending an early pick on a tackle prospect. With Decker’s return, I would wager there is reduced need for a free agent tackle, but I could certainly see Detroit targeting a cheap veteran to, at minimum, challenge Giovanni Manu—the Lions do not like to go into the draft with outstanding needs.
Does Decker’s return change how the Lions should attack the offseason? Let us know in the comments below.
