Detroit Lions predicted to cut longtime franchise cornerstone originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Nothing lasts forever, and that will be true for Taylor Decker’s tenure with the Detroit Lions.
The Lions drafted Decker a decade ago, in the first round (16th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s been a staple on the offensive line in Detroit ever since, starting in all 140 regular season games that he has played in for the Lions. He’s currently the team’s longest-tenured player.
Lions predicted to cut Taylor Decker after 10 seasons
But, the Lions could decide to move on this offseason. In a recent article, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicts that the Lions will cut Decker in the coming weeks, if he doesn’t retire, due to declining production.
Decker was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2024, but he took a step backwards in 2025.
From Schatz:
“The Lions will cut left tackle Taylor Decker if he does not retire. He will be 33 years old next season and has had issues with shoulder injuries. In 2025, he fell to 45th out of 69 ranked tackles in pass block win rate, and he ranked 61st in run block win rate.”
Of course, if Decker decides to retire, the Lions wouldn’t have to cut him, and it sounds like that’s something he’s strongly considering.
“You can’t play football forever,” Decker said after Detroit’s season ended earlier this month. “… “I’m a fortunate player who’s got to be on one team. I’ve got to be here for 10 years. I take a lot of pride in that, and I think that makes it weigh heavily on my heart even more.”
One way or another, it sounds like Decker’s days in Detroit are numbered.
