Following the final game of the 2025 season, Detroit Lions veteran tackles Taylor Decker and Dan Skipper both admitted they are considering retirement.
Decker and Skipper both battled through injury this season, with Decker noting that his shoulder that had offseason surgery required multiple injections before each game.
The Lions left tackle, who was understandably emotional as he spoke to reporters, said this year in particular took a heavy toll on his family and that has Decker thinking about hanging up his cleats, per Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit.
“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. 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," Decker said.
"Because I’m not willing to put my family through it. I’m not willing to be distant and not be a present father, because your kids are only little once, and, God willing, we have more. I want to be able to play with them. I want to be able to throw the ball with them. I mean, I can’t throw a football right now. No way," he added.
Decker went on to say that it would take the "right set of circumstances" for him to keep playing in 2026.
Skipper, who was also emotional, admitted he has been dealing with a lower back injury throughout the season that almost forced him to shut it down.
“This might be the last one,” Skipper said of his future in the NFL, per ESPN's Kalyn Kahler.
If this is indeed it, hats off to two veteran players who gave everything they had during their careers.
Skipper has defied all odds to put together a long career as a former undrafted free agent, and Decker has played at a high level on the left side for several years.
Neither one will be easy to replace, and that's especially true for Decker, who would leave a gaping hole at left tackle for Detroit to fill.
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