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Taylor Decker announces granted request to be released by Detroit Lions

Byington mugby: Alex Byington03/06/26_AlexByington

Detroit Lions veteran left tackle Taylor Decker, the team’s longest-tenured player, formally requested and received his release after contract talks broke down, he announced Friday afternoon, via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Decker now becomes a free agent.

Decker has anchored the left side of the Lions’ offensive line ever since they drafted him out of Ohio State with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s appeared in 145 career games and participated in 9,134 total snaps over those 10 years in Detroit.

“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,” Decker’s statement read. “In the weeks since notifying the team of my return, there have been numerous discussions. 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,” Decker’s statement continued. “It has been the absolute privilege of my life to be your LT for the past 10 years. And I am forever grateful for the opportunity the Ford family and Lions organization afforded me.”

NFL’s free agency period begins next Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. ET, which is the official start of the new league year.

Of course, Decker isn’t the only longtime Lion to leave the team this offseason. Star running back David Montgomery was traded to the Houston Texans on Monday.

Detroit Lions trade RB David Montgomery to Houston Texans

The Detroit Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Lions will receive a fourth- and seventh-round pick, along with offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, in exchange for Montgomery, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Montgomery has spent the past three seasons with the Lions. In the 2025-26 campaign, Montgomery recorded 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 158 carries. Additionally, Montgomery logged 24 catches for 192 yards.

Montgomery appeared in all 17 of the Lions’ games. He primarily served as running back Jahmyr Gibbs‘ backup. Gibbs finished this past season with 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns in the ground game. For his efforts, he was named a Pro Bowl selection. Montgomery was the Lions’ starting running back in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Before signing with the Lions in 2023, Montgomery spent four seasons on the Chicago Bears.