Taylor Decker details rift with Lions after failed communication
Former Detroit Lions LT Taylor Decker detailed a lack of communication that led to his release request.
Nov 17, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) makes his way to down the tunnel before the start of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images In his social media post announcing that he was requesting his release from the Detroit Lions, Taylor Decker made vague references to “surprising” conversations with the team that led him to this decision. “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,” Decker wrote on March 6. This week, Decker sat down with Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network to reveal some details of how things fell apart so quickly .
Decker and the Lions both knew that retirement was clearly an option for the veteran left tackle who had publicly discussed how injuries and time away from family had started to wear on his 10-year football career. But according to Decker, in his pair of exit interviews with the team in January, two things were made clear for both sides: The Lions wanted him back Decker was not interested in taking a pay cut However, when the two sides reconvened after Decker announced he’d be returning for an 11th season, he was blindsided when the team told his agent that the only way he’d be returning was if he was on a pay cut. There wasn’t much discussion after that.
Decker turned the offer down before the two sides even discussed numbers. Earlier in the week, Lions general manager Brad Holmes offered his side of the situation, insisting the only thing that could have been considered surprising was the timing of Decker’s public announcement of his return. Although Decker said he talked to coach Dan Campbell the day before about his decision and tried to reach out to Holmes, but he did not get a responding call or text.