OT Decker, longest-tenured Lion, asks for release

The challenge Dan Graziano sees in the Lions trading for Myles Garrett (2:24)Dan Graziano, Mike Tannenbaum and Jason McCourty debate whether the Browns and Lions could link up on a Myles Garrett trade. (2:24)

Offensive lineman Taylor Decker, the Lions’ longest-tenured player, has requested his release from Detroit, he announced on social media Friday.

“I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end,” Decker wrote on Instagram. “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 a common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.”

Decker was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024 and had appeared in 140 career games for the Lions since being selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State.

He had toyed with the idea of retirement toward the end of last season, when he missed the postseason while dealing with pain in his shoulder.

playThe challenge Dan Graziano sees in the Lions trading for Myles Garrett (2:24)Dan Graziano, Mike Tannenbaum and Jason McCourty debate whether the Browns and Lions could link up on a Myles Garrett trade. (2:24)ESPNMultiple AuthorsMar 6, 2026, 02:17 PM ETOpen Extended ReactionsOffensive lineman Taylor Decker, the Lions’ longest-tenured player, has requested his release from Detroit, he announced on social media Friday.The move comes about two weeks after he announced he would return to the NFL for an 11th NFL season.”I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end,” Decker wrote on Instagram. “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 a common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Decker (@__taylordecker) Decker was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024 and had appeared in 140 career games for the Lions since being selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State.He had toyed with the idea of retirement toward the end of last season, when he missed the postseason while dealing with pain in his shoulder.Information from ESPN’s Eric Woodyard was used in this report.

The challenge Dan Graziano sees in the Lions trading for Myles Garrett (2:24)Dan Graziano, Mike Tannenbaum and Jason McCourty debate whether the Browns and Lions could link up on a Myles Garrett trade. (2:24)

Dan Graziano, Mike Tannenbaum and Jason McCourty debate whether the Browns and Lions could link up on a Myles Garrett trade. (2:24)

Information from ESPN’s Eric Woodyard was used in this report.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Decker (@__taylordecker)

playThe challenge Dan Graziano sees in the Lions trading for Myles Garrett (2:24)Dan Graziano, Mike Tannenbaum and Jason McCourty debate whether the Browns and Lions could link up on a Myles Garrett trade. (2:24)ESPNMultiple AuthorsMar 6, 2026, 02:17 PM ETOpen Extended ReactionsOffensive lineman Taylor Decker, the Lions’ longest-tenured player, has requested his release from Detroit, he announced on social media Friday.The move comes about two weeks after he announced he would return to the NFL for an 11th NFL season.”I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end,” Decker wrote on Instagram. “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 a common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Decker (@__taylordecker) Decker was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024 and had appeared in 140 career games for the Lions since being selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State.He had toyed with the idea of retirement toward the end of last season, when he missed the postseason while dealing with pain in his shoulder.Information from ESPN’s Eric Woodyard was used in this report.

playThe challenge Dan Graziano sees in the Lions trading for Myles Garrett (2:24)Dan Graziano, Mike Tannenbaum and Jason McCourty debate whether the Browns and Lions could link up on a Myles Garrett trade. (2:24)ESPNMultiple AuthorsMar 6, 2026, 02:17 PM ETOpen Extended ReactionsOffensive lineman Taylor Decker, the Lions’ longest-tenured player, has requested his release from Detroit, he announced on social media Friday.The move comes about two weeks after he announced he would return to the NFL for an 11th NFL season.”I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end,” Decker wrote on Instagram. “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 a common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Decker (@__taylordecker) Decker was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024 and had appeared in 140 career games for the Lions since being selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State.He had toyed with the idea of retirement toward the end of last season, when he missed the postseason while dealing with pain in his shoulder.Information from ESPN’s Eric Woodyard was used in this report.

playThe challenge Dan Graziano sees in the Lions trading for Myles Garrett (2:24)Dan Graziano, Mike Tannenbaum and Jason McCourty debate whether the Browns and Lions could link up on a Myles Garrett trade. (2:24)ESPNMultiple AuthorsMar 6, 2026, 02:17 PM ETOpen Extended ReactionsOffensive lineman Taylor Decker, the Lions’ longest-tenured player, has requested his release from Detroit, he announced on social media Friday.The move comes about two weeks after he announced he would return to the NFL for an 11th NFL season.”I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end,” Decker wrote on Instagram. “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 a common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Decker (@__taylordecker) Decker was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024 and had appeared in 140 career games for the Lions since being selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State.He had toyed with the idea of retirement toward the end of last season, when he missed the postseason while dealing with pain in his shoulder.Information from ESPN’s Eric Woodyard was used in this report.

playThe challenge Dan Graziano sees in the Lions trading for Myles Garrett (2:24)Dan Graziano, Mike Tannenbaum and Jason McCourty debate whether the Browns and Lions could link up on a Myles Garrett trade. (2:24)ESPNMultiple AuthorsMar 6, 2026, 02:17 PM ETOpen Extended ReactionsOffensive lineman Taylor Decker, the Lions’ longest-tenured player, has requested his release from Detroit, he announced on social media Friday.The move comes about two weeks after he announced he would return to the NFL for an 11th NFL season.”I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end,” Decker wrote on Instagram. “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 a common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Decker (@__taylordecker) Decker was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024 and had appeared in 140 career games for the Lions since being selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State.He had toyed with the idea of retirement toward the end of last season, when he missed the postseason while dealing with pain in his shoulder.Information from ESPN’s Eric Woodyard was used in this report.

ESPNMultiple AuthorsMar 6, 2026, 02:17 PM ETOpen Extended ReactionsOffensive lineman Taylor Decker, the Lions’ longest-tenured player, has requested his release from Detroit, he announced on social media Friday.The move comes about two weeks after he announced he would return to the NFL for an 11th NFL season.”I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end,” Decker wrote on Instagram. “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 a common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Decker (@__taylordecker) Decker was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024 and had appeared in 140 career games for the Lions since being selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State.He had toyed with the idea of retirement toward the end of last season, when he missed the postseason while dealing with pain in his shoulder.Information from ESPN’s Eric Woodyard was used in this report.

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