DETROIT, Mich. (WJRT) — Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker hopes to return for an 11th NFL season, but he won’t be wearing a Honolulu blue jersey.
Decker, 32, announced Friday that he requested a release from the Lions so he can pursue opportunities with other teams.
“It has been the absolute privilege of my life to be your LT for the last 10 years,” he said in an announcement on social media. “And I am forever grateful for the opportunity the Ford family and Lions organization afforded me.”
Decker announced his intentions two weeks ago to play an 11th season. Since then, he and team leadership held “numerous discussions” about his future with the Lions.
“Many of which were a surprise to me, and we could not find common ground,” Decker wrote.
The Lions picked Decker at No. 16 in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played all of his 10 seasons with Detroit, making 145 starts and three playoff appearances.
Decker had been contemplating retirement after the 2025, when he was limited by a shoulder injury for much of the season. He remains under contract with the Lions through the 2027 season.
Decker hoped to remain with Detroit for the upcoming season, but he now is opting for a “clean and amicable close” to his career with the Lions so he can join a new team.
His potential release would be another big change for the Lions’ offensive line. Former center Frank Ragnow abruptly retired last June, leaving the team scrambling to replace him late in the offseason.
