**Is Longtime Detroit Lions Offensive Lineman Taylor Decker Going To Retire From The NFL?**
In the immediate aftermath of the Detroit Lions’ final game of the 2025 NFL season, veteran offensive lineman Taylor Decker opened up about his future plans with the team, admitting that retirement is a possibility. During his postgame media availability, Decker fought back tears as he acknowledged that he may have played his final season in the NFL.
“I just want to get away because it’s been really challenging for me mentally, just being in pain all the time and knowing that you have to go out there and play anyway,” Decker said. “I’m just not in a good mental state right now. I’m not sleeping well. I mean, I just need to get away, and I go out there, and I play because I love the game and I love my teammates.”
Decker also revealed the emotional struggle of wanting to continue playing despite the physical toll. “That makes it so much harder because I know I can still play,” he noted.
Family considerations weigh heavily on his mind as well. “It’s a massive decision, and it’s not only about me,” Decker shared. “It’s about my kids. I’ll get emotional about that. Just to be able to show up and be the father that I want to be. It’s not about do I want to play football. That’s really important to me because I can make the selfish decision. I can keep playing until I can’t walk anymore or I can’t throw the ball with my kids.”
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**The Uncertain Future: Will The Lions Make The First Move?**
While Decker has not made a definitive decision, ESPN Insider Aaron Schatz has predicted that if Decker chooses to continue playing, the Lions might be the ones to make the first move. Schatz suggests the team could cut Decker, citing his age and declining performance.
“The Lions will cut left tackle Taylor Decker if he does not retire,” Schatz wrote. “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.”
Decker started 14 of Detroit’s 17 games during the recently completed season and signed a lucrative three-year, $60 million extension in 2024. However, the grueling training regimen he underwent just to stay healthy enough to start this past season is a major factor in his consideration about whether to continue playing. He didn’t sound open to going through the same ordeal again merely to prolong his NFL career.
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**The Lions’ Offensive Line Rebuild and Its Impact**
The Detroit Lions have acknowledged the challenges facing their offensive line, especially after the retirement of former center Frank Ragnow. If Decker does retire or is cut as predicted, general manager Brad Holmes will face a significant challenge in filling the void.
“But no, it hadn’t been ignored, we tried to do the best we can,” Holmes said during his season-ending press conference. “I was excited about the youth injection that we did go with. I think it was necessary. But I believe I mentioned after we acquired those players that there’s going to have to be some patience, there’s going to be some things that those young guys hadn’t seen before. I do think that those young players will get better.”
Holmes also emphasized the ongoing priority of strengthening the offensive line. “But just the offensive line as a whole, whether it’s the interiors or the tackle, that’s something that’s going to continue to see we’re going to have to be urgent in terms of adding to.”
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As the Lions prepare for the offseason, the future of Taylor Decker remains uncertain. Whether he decides to retire or continue, the team will have some tough decisions ahead in rebuilding a sturdy and reliable offensive line. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the situation develops.
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