Taylor Decker requested his release from the Detroit Lions in March, and the one-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman may be regretting that decision. A first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Ohio State product has been a fixture on Detroit’s offensive line for the past decade, starting in 140 games while doing everything he can to keep his quarterback healthy. Despite playing with several different passers, head coaches, and overall schemes, Decker has remained one of the league’s more productive and consistent left tackles throughout the past decade.
Despite his advanced age, he was still a productive player last year. Starting and appearing in 14 games, the left tackle finished the season with a 67.9 PFF grade, the 39th-best mark out of 84 eligible players. He may not be destined for the Hall of Fame, but he’s still a starting-caliber offensive tackle. There are not enough reliable offensive linemen to go around, so it’s a little surprising to see him still available on the open market. However, with training camps starting up throughout the league and most of the big-name free agents already finding homes, it should only be a matter of time before Taylor Decker finds his next team. In a recent article, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox made his case for Decker signing with the Los Angeles Rams.
“The Rams have one of the NFL’s best offenses under head coach Sean McVay, but their offensive line depth is a concern entering the 2026 season,” Knox writes. “Injuries have forced Los Angeles to shuffle the front five in recent years, so adding an experienced tackle like Decker could provide the team a valuable insurance option while raising the floor of the unit. Unlike some tackle-needy teams that would ask Decker to anchor a complete rebuild, the Rams offer the 32-year-old an opportunity to join a playoff-caliber squad built around an MVP quarterback, elite receiving talent, and efficient rushing attack.”
Taylor Decker, Rams Connected In Latest Rumor
Perhaps the reason Taylor Decker hasn’t signed yet is that he’s looking for the ideal fit. Now on the wrong side of 30, the offensive tackle is closer to the end of his career than the beginning and likely wants to spend his final years on a contender. If that’s the case, then the Los Angeles Rams are the perfect fit. The team narrowly lost the NFC Championship Game to the Seattle Seahawks, and since then they’ve added superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett and two high-end cornerbacks in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
This team has the tools to win it all, and adding someone like Taylor Decker to the mix will only increase the odds of a championship. This team will go as far as Stafford can take them, so keeping him healthy should be the team’s top priority.
