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CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 02: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a touchdown with Ozzy Trapilo #75 during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in the game at Paycor Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
After the sudden retirement of center Drew Dalman, the Chicago Bears now have two holes to fill on the offensive line, along with left tackle.
Although incumbent starter and 2025 second round pick Ozzy Trapilo had an excellent rookie season, a ruptured patellar tendon suffered in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Green Bay Packers will likely see him miss the majority of the 2026 season.
In the meantime, Chicago will need to find a new viable starter at the position. The team has been strongly linked to Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker, who is set to hit the open market next week, but he would likely require a longer term commitment than the one-year stop-gap deal the Bears may prefer.
Yet a better option may have just presented itself on a plate to the Bears. Detroit Lions left tackle and Pro Bowler Taylor Decker had previously requested his release earlier this offseason and was granted his wish by the team on Friday.
Bears Linked By Multiple Outlets to Taylor Decker
And in the aftermath of the move, many believe that Chicago could be an ideal landing spot for the 10-year veteran.
“Lions Releasing Taylor Decker Just Handed The Bears A Perfect Left Tackle Solution”, Sports Mockery’s Eric Lambert wrote.
Taylor Decker will be 33 and is slowing down but I think he has enough gas in the tank for a 1 year deal.
Among qualified OT’s he graded as the 44th best run blocker and 37th best pass blocker which is near average.
Should the Bears consider Decker? #Bears #ChicagoBears
“Taylor Decker will be 33 and is slowing down but I think he has enough gas in the tank for a 1 year deal. Among qualified OT’s he graded as the 44th best run blocker and 37th best pass blocker which is near average. Should the Bears consider Decker?” Former Lions tight end Clay Habor wrote.
Decker Could Reunite with Former Offensive Coordinator
Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team also made the connection between Decker and Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who was formerly Decker’s offensive coordinator in Detroit.
“Worth mentioning: The #Bears are in the LT market for a one-year stopgap player, and HC Ben Johnson has a strong history with Taylor Decker.” Meirov wrote.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin also made this same observation.
“The Bears have a need at left tackle. Taylor Decker played under Ben Johnson in Detroit. Hmm.” Cronin posted on X.
Bears writer Ben Devine came forth with an even stronger prediction for Decker’s future.
“There’s your Chicago Bears next LT.” Devine wrote, before referencing a post he made back in February telling Bears fans to “keep an eye out” for the possibility of Decker coming to Illnois.
“Keep an eye on Lions LT Taylor Decker.” Devine wrote on Valentine’s Day last month. “Detroit could create $18 million in cap space by cutting the 10-yr veteran. In December, Decker said he “ideally” wants to play one more season, but is mulling retirement. He’d be intriguing for Chicago to sign him for 1 year.”
At 33 years of age and with likely not more than a couple of seasons left in the tank, Decker could prioritize a shot at a Super Bowl over the biggest possible deal, having already made over $101 million over the course of his 10 years in the NFL.
In that case Chicago – with Johnson, Caleb Williams and a whole lot of hype from last season – could be the most intriguing option for the Decker. And vice versa.
Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas
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