Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker appeared to announce on Instagram on Tuesday afternoon that he’ll be returning to the team for the 2026 season, his 11th career year.
Decker posted to Instagram a photo of himself coming out of the Ford Field tunnel with the following caption:
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am; SEND ME!” #Year11
If that seems too enigmatic for you, Lions reporter Justin Rogers confirmed that Decker is, indeed, intending to play for the 2026 season.
After last season ended, Decker said he was going to take some time to consider retirement. He laid out how difficult the 2025 season was, as he constantly managed a shoulder injury that caused him to miss most practices and spend countless hours pre-habbing and rehabbing the injury.
“If that’s what my future is going to be to continue to play—that’s not something I’m willing to do. Because I’m not willing to put my family through it,” Decker said. “I’m not willing to be distant and not be a present father, because your kids are only little once, and, God willing, we have more. I want to be able to play with them. I want to be able to throw the ball with them. I mean, I can’t throw a football right now. No way.”
But it appears Decker feels like he’s in a good enough spot with his shoulder to proceed forward and play for another year.
Earlier on Tuesday, Lions coach Dan Campbell said that regardless of Decker’s decision, they will be in the market for a tackle this offseason.
“Look, if it’s not (possible Decker returns), then we‘ve got to find a guy. But even if (he returns), we’ve still got to find a guy,” Campbell said. “Because, as much as I love Deck, he’s got some things that are going to need some management, and that’s kind of where we’re at. So, one way or another, we’re going to need somebody who can play over there (left tackle). If we need them in a crunch, or if we need them as a starter.”
