In a jaw-dropping move that could rock the heart of the Lions’ offense, Detroit is bracing to cut ties with longtime starting left tackle Taylor Decker just one season after his Pro Bowl campaign. After a decade of anchoring the offensive line, Decker’s future with the franchise now hangs by a thread.
Despite signing a three-year, $60 million extension, Decker’s play reportedly fell off a cliff last season. Once considered elite, the veteran lineman plummeted near the bottom of the league in both pass protection and run blocking — a stunning decline that has insiders questioning whether he’s worth his massive $21.35 million cap hit heading into 2025.
ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz predicts Detroit will either see Decker retire or outright release him in the coming weeks, citing his age, lingering shoulder injuries, and alarming performance drop. At 33, and with nearly $45 million in cap charges over the next two seasons, the Lions appear ready to make a ruthless business decision.
If the cut happens, Detroit’s offensive line would be thrown into chaos, leaving a gaping hole at the most critical position protecting the quarterback — and sending shockwaves across the NFL.
Bottom line: A franchise pillar could be gone any moment, and the Lions may be on the verge of one of their most stunning roster moves in years.
