The Detroit Lions are facing an offseason in which they will have to re-tool in order to turns things around following a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell has already promised changes, but we did not need his confirmation to know that. Detroit fell well short of expectations this season and it's quite obvious that change is needed.
In an article making one offseason prediction for each NFL team, ESPN's Aaron Schatz believes the Lions will cut ties with left tackle Taylor Decker.
"The Lions will cut left tackle Taylor Decker if he does not retire. He will be 33 years old next season and has had issues with shoulder injuries," he said. "Through Week 17 in 2025, he fell to 43rd out of 70 ranked tackles in pass block win rate, and he ranks 61st in run block win rate."
While it's true Decker had a down season, there's no doubt that his shoulder injury, which required offseason surgery, played a role in that more than anything else.
As Decker admitted after the Week 18 victory over the Chicago Bears, he was receiving multiple injections weekly just to get through the season.
While we're skeptical the Lions will cut Decker, they might not have to make that decision, as the veteran left tackle said he's considering retirement.
“It asked a lot of my wife. And it was selfish of me, but it was what was required to fulfill the expectations of my job," Decker said of the toll his injury and treatment took. "That’s not something that I’m — if that’s what my future is going to be to continue to play — that’s not something I’m willing to do."
If Decker is indeed done in Detroit, that will leave the Lions with a massive hole to fill along an offensive line that already has question marks. Decker's leadership would also be missed.
The Lions could slide Penei Sewell over to the left side, but even if they do that, Detroit will then have to fill a void at right tackle.
Whatever the case may be, the uncertain future of Decker leaves the Lions with yet another question mark in an offseason filled with them.
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