Nothing lasts forever in the NFL, and Taylor Decker’s long run with the Detroit Lions may be nearing its end.

The Lions selected Decker with the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and he has been a fixture on Detroit’s offensive line ever since. Over 10 seasons, Decker has started all 140 regular-season games he’s played in, making him the longest-tenured player on the roster.

Lions Could Cut Taylor Decker This Offseason

Despite his longevity and leadership, the Lions could decide to move on this offseason. In a recent article, ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz projected that Detroit may cut Taylor Decker, assuming he does not retire, citing declining on-field performance and durability concerns.

Although Decker earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024, his play slipped during the 2025 season.

Schatz wrote:

“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. In 2025, he fell to 45th out of 69 ranked tackles in pass block win rate, and he ranked 61st in run block win rate.”

Retirement Also an Option for Decker

Retirement remains a real possibility, which would allow the Lions to avoid releasing one of their longtime franchise pillars. Decker recently acknowledged that his future is uncertain after Detroit’s season ended.

“You can’t play football forever,” Decker said. “I’m a fortunate player who’s got to be on one team. I’ve got to be here for 10 years. I take a lot of pride in that, and I think that makes it weigh heavily on my heart even more.”

Decker’s Lions Tenure Nearing Its End

Whether through retirement or release, all signs point to Taylor Decker’s time in Detroit coming to a close. If this truly is the end, he would leave behind a decade of consistency, leadership, and durability as one of the most reliable offensive linemen in franchise history.