As the Detroit Lions shift their focus toward the 2026 season, the front office finds itself staring down a tough reality: they’re currently projected to be $16 million over the salary cap. That’s not a small hole to dig out of-especially for a team looking to maintain its competitive edge while navigating a roster full of extension-eligible players.
Now, it’s important to remember that cap projections in February aren’t gospel. A lot can and will change before free agency opens.
Restructures, trades, and roster cuts are all tools in the GM’s belt, and Detroit’s brass will likely put every one of them to work. But even with some creative accounting, the Lions are going to need to make some hard calls.
Three veteran names have emerged as potential pre-June 1 cut candidates: Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, and David Montgomery. Each brings experience and value-but also a cap hit that could be tough to justify in the current financial climate.
Taylor Decker: A Franchise Mainstay Nearing the End?
Let’s start with the most high-profile name on the list. Taylor Decker has been a cornerstone of Detroit’s offensive line for years, but 2025 may have been his last ride in the Motor City. Whether he retires or not, the Lions could opt to move on this offseason-and financially, it would make sense.
Decker was charged with a career-high 40 blown blocks in just 14 games last season, per Sports Info Solutions. That’s not the kind of stat you want attached to your blindside protector.
If retirement is on the table, the Lions could get ahead of it and cut him early, saving $11.6 million in cap space. While there’d still be a market for a veteran tackle with Decker’s résumé, Detroit may decide that the cap relief outweighs the value of one more year.
Graham Glasgow: Miscast and Misused
Glasgow’s situation is a bit different. He’s a versatile interior lineman who’s proven capable in the past, but 2025 wasn’t his best showing.
The Lions asked him to slide over and compete for the starting center job-a move that didn’t play to his strengths. Glasgow won the job, but the results were underwhelming.
Cutting him would free up another $5.6 million, and given Detroit’s need to find a true center this offseason, it’s a move that makes sense. Glasgow’s value as a guard is still there, but if the Lions are looking to retool the line with more specialized pieces, he might be the odd man out.
David Montgomery: The Cap Casualty Nobody Wants to See
Then there’s David Montgomery, perhaps the most surprising name in this group. He’s still under contract through 2028, and his deal is fairly team-friendly for a back with his skill set. Montgomery remains a reliable downhill runner with plenty of tread left on the tires, and he’s been a key piece of Detroit’s offensive identity.
But the numbers are what they are. Cutting Montgomery would save $3.5 million in cap space.
It’s not a massive number, but in a tight cap situation, every dollar counts. There’s also the possibility that Montgomery could be moved via trade-his contract and production could generate interest around the league.
But if the Lions are prioritizing cap space above all else, a clean break might be on the table.
The Math Doesn’t Lie - But It’s Not Enough
Add it all up, and these three cuts would generate about $20.7 million in savings, flipping Detroit from $16 million in the red to roughly $4 million in the black. That’s better-but it’s still not enough. Not when you factor in rookie contracts, potential free-agent targets, and looming extensions for key players.
In short, these moves would be a start. A necessary one, even.
But they won’t solve everything. The Lions are going to have to get creative-and maybe a little uncomfortable-if they want to stay competitive in a 2026 NFC that’s only getting tougher.
The front office has earned plenty of praise in recent years for building a tough, physical, and balanced roster. Now comes the next test: navigating the financial side of the NFL without taking a step back on the field. The decisions they make over the next few months will go a long way in determining whether Detroit can keep pushing forward-or if a step back is coming before another leap ahead.