The Chicago Bears may have to move on from a potential free-agent target after receiving discouraging news regarding veteran offensive tackle Taylor Decker.

According to Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network, the longtime Detroit Lions lineman is not particularly interested in signing with Chicago. Rogers reported that Decker is strongly opposed to the idea of joining either the Bears or the Green Bay Packers because both teams are division rivals of Detroit.

Decker has reportedly struggled with the thought of finishing his career with a rival after dedicating so many years to the Lions organization. Rogers explained that the veteran still wants to compete for a championship, but he also questions whether leaving for a divisional opponent would feel disloyal after investing so much physically and emotionally in one franchise.

Rogers emphasized that Decker has little interest in joining Chicago or Green Bay specifically because of their NFC North ties to Detroit. While former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson made the move to Chicago earlier, Decker reportedly views the situation differently and feels uncomfortable with the idea.

Earlier speculation suggested Decker might be open to the Bears, particularly after his relationship with Detroit appeared strained during his departure. In another report from Rogers, the veteran tackle admitted he was frustrated by the limited communication from the Lions as his exit unfolded.

Tension also developed when Detroit asked Decker to accept a pay reduction following a season in which he battled through a shoulder injury and experienced a dip in performance—something he was reportedly unhappy about.

Despite those issues, it appears they were not enough to convince Decker to follow Johnson’s path from Detroit to Chicago.

With Decker likely off the table, the Bears seem poised to rely on their current options at left tackle. That group includes Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills and Theo Benedet.

Jones opened last season as the starter before eventually losing the job, but Johnson and the Bears remain optimistic about his progress heading into the 2026 campaign. The head coach recently noted that Jones has arrived in excellent condition and is motivated to turn his career back in the right direction.

Still, offseason optimism does not always translate once games begin. Whether Jones can reclaim the starting role and perform consistently during the 2026 season remains to be seen.