Left tackle Taylor Decker, the Detroit Lions’ longest-tenured player, requested his release from the team.
Decker announced the news over social media on Friday, just a little over a week after he wrote that he intended to return for an 11th NFL season.
“Things change,” Decker wrote on Instagram. “145 games started, 3 playoff appearances, 2 division titles, a decade carrying the shield. I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end.
“In the weeks since notifying the team of my return there have been numerous discussions. Many of which were a surprise to me, and we could not find common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.”
On Feb. 24, Decker posted a picture of himself running onto the field and a caption reading, “‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; SEND ME!’ #Year11”
The No. 16 overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2016 NFL Draft, Decker started all 140 regular-season games as well as five playoff contests that he played with Detroit.
Decker, 32, was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024. He admitted he had to battle through a shoulder injury last season that severely limited him in practice and made him seriously consider stepping away from the game.
