Detroit Lions veteran left tackle Taylor Decker has asked the organization to release him following unsuccessful contract negotiations.
The 32-year-old offensive lineman, who holds the distinction of being Detroit’s longest-serving current player, made the announcement through his Instagram account on Friday. This news came just over a week after Decker had publicly stated his intention to play an 11th season in the NFL.
“Things change,” Decker shared in his social media post. “145 games started, 3 playoff appearances, 2 division titles, a decade carrying the shield. I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end.”
He continued: “In the weeks since notifying the team of my return there have been numerous discussions. Many of which were a surprise to me, and we could not find common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.”
Earlier this year on February 24th, Decker had expressed his commitment to returning, sharing a photo of himself entering the field with the caption: “‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; SEND ME!’ #Year11”
Detroit selected Decker as the 16th overall choice in the 2016 NFL Draft after his college career at Ohio State. Throughout his Lions tenure, he appeared in every regular season game he was available for, starting all 140 contests plus an additional five playoff games.
The veteran lineman earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024 despite dealing with a significant shoulder problem that restricted his practice participation and nearly led him to consider retirement.
