As the Detroit Lions head into another pivotal offseason, there's a familiar sense of uncertainty hanging over their offensive line - and this time, it centers around longtime left tackle Taylor Decker.
Just last June, the Lions were blindsided when Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement well after free agency and the draft had wrapped. That late-breaking decision left Detroit scrambling to patch up the interior of a line that had once been among the league’s best. The ripple effects were felt throughout the 2025 season, as the unit struggled to regain its footing without its anchor in the middle.
Now, as the 2026 offseason begins, the Lions are staring down a similar dilemma - but with a little more runway to prepare.
Back in December, Decker publicly acknowledged that retirement is on his mind. After a grueling season, he told the Detroit Free Press he needed time to reflect before making any decisions, emphasizing that he didn’t want to act out of emotion.
“Like I said, ideally, I would play. I would continue to play (at least one more year),” Decker said.
“But I just need to sit and evaluate... Right now, this has not been a fun year.
But I know if I remove those variables that have made it unfun, I still enjoy playing football. And I think I'm playing really well.”
That last part is key - because Decker has been playing well. Despite the team’s ups and downs, his performance on the field hasn’t fallen off.
But after nearly a decade in the trenches, the physical and emotional toll of the game is real. And unlike the more cryptic retirement chatter that surrounded Ragnow after his injury-plagued 2023 campaign, Decker has gone public early, giving the Lions time to plan accordingly.
He reiterated after the season that he’s not rushing into anything. He wants to gather information, seek second opinions, and make a decision that’s not just about football - but about his family, too.
“I need to make informed decisions,” Decker said. “And I don’t want to make it emotionally because if I make it emotionally, I already know what the answer is going to be.
But it’s a massive decision, and it’s not only about me. It’s about my kids.”
From the Lions’ perspective, clarity before free agency opens in March would be ideal. If not by then, the draft in late April becomes the next critical checkpoint. Either way, Detroit has to start thinking seriously about what life after Decker might look like - whether that transition happens this year or next.
Even if Decker returns for one more season, it’s clear the end is near. His initial comments made it sound like 2026 would likely be his final ride if he does suit up again. That makes finding his successor a priority in the upcoming draft, regardless of his decision.
One thing the Lions don’t seem too worried about? A repeat of last year’s surprise retirement announcement. Decker’s been upfront, and if he hasn’t hung it up by the time OTAs roll around, you can bet he’ll be back on the field.
As for his teammates, they’re giving him space. Right tackle Penei Sewell, who’s emerged as one of the NFL’s elite offensive linemen, isn’t pushing Decker in either direction.
“I give Big Dog his space,” Sewell said during Super Bowl week. “He’s been in it for quite some time now, so he deserves it and whatever he decides it’s the best thing for him."
There’s always been some speculation that Sewell could slide over to left tackle - his college position - if Decker walks away. That’s a conversation for another day, but it’s one that’s inching closer to the forefront.
For now, the Lions are in wait-and-see mode. But unlike last offseason, they’ve got a clearer view of what might be coming - and a chance to get ahead of it.