As he begins his ninth season as a Detroit Lion, Taylor Decker has seen it all, from a playoff berth as a rookie to last year’s run to the NFC championship game. He is also entering the final year of his current deal, and before the offseason began in February, he made it clear that he wanted to stay a Lion for the rest of his career.
“I definitely want to end my career here,” Decker told MLive. “Ultimately, this is where I want to be. Of course, you desire money, but I enjoy being here. I adore being here. I was able to participate in the process of climbing out of the trenches, and it’s been interesting to see the other side over the last year and a half. Whatever happens with the contract, I’m not sure…but do I want to stay here forever? One hundred percent. So, we shall see.”
Decker later stated that contract talks had begun between the Lions and his agency. It’s unclear where things are right now, between OTAs and training camp. However, contract talks are unlikely to have become heated. Decker wants to stay, and the Lions will undoubtedly want to keep him around for a few years after next season.
Taylor Decker should clearly be next up for a contract extension from the Lions
Decker is in the final year of his five-year, $59.65 million contract and has the 12th highest average value among left tackles ($14,912,500, according to Over The Cap). As Vito Chiro of SI.com recently pointed out, he’d probably prefer to be a top-10 left tackle in terms of annual average with his new contract. That would mean topping Orlando Brown ($16.023 million).
Defensive tackle Alim McNeill is also nearing the final year of his contract, and he is undoubtedly a priority for the Lions to complete a deal with soon. However, Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report chose Decker as the most essential deal extension for each team heading into the 2024 season.
“A stalwart at left tackle in Detroit for over a decade, Decker’s camp and Lions brass have began discussions about an extension. Decker had a bad year in 2023, allowing eight sacks compared to six in the previous two years combined, but his veteran presence along the front five remains vital to a young Lions roster.”
