Lions training camp primer: Detroit releases Taylor Decker

With Detroit Lions training camp just days away, Lions Wire is looking back on the biggest storylines throughout the offseason in a 10-part series to get fans ready for camp.

Thus far, parts No. 1 and 2 have revisited Detroit's decision to hire Drew Petzing as its new offensive coordinator and the David Montgomery trade with the Houston Texans.

Now, let's look at one of the biggest dominos of the offseason in part No. 3 of our series: The Lions releasing longtime left tackle Taylor Decker.

Detroit Lions jumpstart OL overhaul with Taylor Decker release

One could argue that the offensive line overhaul actually started in the summer of 2025 when four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow announced his abrupt retirement.

Still, the Lions knew they needed to retool up front offensively after a 2025 season in which its offensive line stepped backwards. Detroit saw Jahmyr Gibbs' yards per carry average dip from 5.6 in 2024 to 5.0 in 2025. The Lions also allowed quarterback Jared Goff to be sacked a career-high 38 times last season.

After inking a handful of lucrative contract extensions with its key figures in recent years, and with more young stars' potential extensions on the horizon, longtime left tackle Taylor Decker represented one of the few ways in which the Lions could find some financial flexibility this offseason.

In addition to some of the restructure options that the Lions utilized, Detroit created $11.6 million in cap savings by releasing Decker. That was in addition to the $5.5 million in cap savings that Detroit created by releasing Graham Glasgow.

Both Decker and Glasgow were selected by the Lions in the 2016 NFL Draft. Decker was chosen No. 16 overall in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, while Glasgow was selected with pick No. 95 overall in the third round.

Decker played in and started 140 games for the Lions, while Glasgow played in 110 games and started 103 in the Motor City across two stints.

Glasgow was the Lions' starting center in 14 games last season. A left leg injury during a joint practice in training camp got Glasgow's 2025 off to a rocky start. The Michigan alum would go on to card just a 56.8 overall offensive grade from Pro Football Focus.

Moved back to center after Ragnow's retirement, Glasgow was at the heart of some of the issues the Lions' offensive line faced. Meanwhile, Decker registered his first sub-70 overall offensive grade from PFF since his second NFL season.

Decker and Glasgow were both unsure what their futures might hold when the 2025 season ended. After the Lions' regular-season finale, Decker was open about the physical and emotional toll it took to play in 2025.

After some contemplation, Decker announced in late February his intention to return to the Lions for an 11th season. But, after the Lions reportedly asked Decker to cut his salary, Decker requested his release and the Lions moved forward in a different direction.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions training camp primer: Detroit releases Taylor Decker