After Learning He’s No Longer a Lock in the Long-Term Plans, Lions Veteran Starter Signals Willingness to Restructure, Save $10 Million in 2026 Cap Space — Willing to Do Anything to Stay in Detroit
DETROIT — As the Detroit Lions enter an offseason defined by difficult financial decisions, one of the franchise’s longest-tenured and most respected veterans has made his stance unmistakably clear.
Once Taylor Decker was informed that he is no longer guaranteed a place in Detroit’s long-term plans, the veteran left tackle did not wait for uncertainty to grow. Instead, Decker has signaled his openness to restructuring his contract in an effort to help the Lions manage their salary cap and remain competitive entering the 2026 season.
According to league cap projections, Detroit is facing a tighter financial outlook as it balances extensions for its young core with several veteran contracts. Decker’s current deal carries a sizable 2026 cap hit for a 33-year-old left tackle — a figure that has prompted internal evaluation following a 2025 season marked by durability concerns and modest performance regression. By converting a portion of his base salary into bonus money, a restructure could free significant cap space for the Lions in 2026.
The willingness to adjust speaks volumes about Decker’s priorities: “Detroit is home for me,” Decker said recently. “I’ve been here through everything, and I still believe in what we’re building. If reworking my deal helps this team and gives me a chance to stay in this locker room, I’m open to doing what it takes.”
From a football perspective, Decker remains a difficult piece to replace. Drafted in 2016, he has been a fixture on the offensive line for nearly a decade, starting more than 100 games and anchoring the blind side through multiple coaching staffs. His experience and leadership continue to carry value for a Lions offense built on physicality and protection consistency.
Still, Detroit’s front office must weigh that value against age, health, and long-term roster planning. With younger linemen pushing for opportunities and future cap commitments looming, the Lions are carefully considering whether a restructured deal can align with their broader vision.
Inside the organization, the response to Decker’s stance has been described as respectful but cautious. A restructure remains a viable option, though not a certainty, as Detroit explores every avenue to balance competitiveness with sustainability.
For Decker, the message is simple and direct: if there is a path to remain in Detroit, he is willing to sacrifice financially to keep wearing Honolulu blue — and to finish what he helped build with the Lions.
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