After announcing last week his intentions to play for the 2026 season, Decker announced on Instagram that he has requested his release from the Detroit Lions after talks broke down with the team.
Decker didn’t provide any specifics about those talks, only saying many of the conversations with the team were “a surprise” to the 10-year veteran.
The Lions’ left tackle was scheduled to make a $14.9 million salary this year, plus a $1.5 million bonus and up to $1.7 million in per-game bonuses, carrying a hefty cap hit of over $21 million. It is certainly possible the Lions approached him about a pay cut, or maybe they couldn’t guarantee him a starting spot on the roster.
UPDATE: Per Dave Birkett, the Lions wanted him to take a pay cut.
If the Lions grant his release, they’ll clear up just north of $11.6 million in cap space, while eating $9.4 million in dead cap.
Here’s a portion of Decker’s message; you can read the entire thing on Instagram here.
> Things change, 145 games started, 3 playoff appearances, 2 division titles, a decade carrying the shield. I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end. In my weeks since notifying the team of my return there have been numerous discussion. Many of which were a surprise to me, and we could not find common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.
> I am opting for a clean and amicable close to what has been such a beautiful 10 years going to war as a Lion.
