Chicago Bears Linked to Former $60M Lions Star Despite Injury Concerns

The Bears are reportedly interested in signing the veteran offensive lineman to bolster their offensive line.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:40pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an offensive lineman in pass protection, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange conveying the fractured, multi-perspective nature of the play.The Bears' search for offensive line help could lead them to take a chance on a former Pro Bowler with a concerning injury history.Chicago Today

The Chicago Bears, coming off an 11-6 season and their first playoff win since 2010, are reportedly interested in signing a former $60 million Detroit Lions star despite the player's serious injury history. The Bears parted ways with starting left tackle Braxton Jones and are looking to upgrade their offensive line.

Why it matters

The Bears' offensive line was a weakness last season, with their top tackle, Theo Benedet, grading out as the 72nd best tackle in the NFL. Signing a proven veteran could help solidify the line and give the Bears' offense a boost as they look to build on their successful 2025 campaign.

The details

The Bears are reportedly interested in signing former Detroit Lions offensive lineman Taylor Decker, who signed a $60 million contract with the Lions in 2018 but has struggled with injuries in recent seasons. Decker missed significant time in 2024 and 2025 due to various ailments, raising concerns about his long-term durability.

  • The Bears parted ways with starting left tackle Braxton Jones in the 2026 offseason.
  • The Bears re-signed offensive tackle Theo Benedet, who was graded as the 72nd best tackle in the NFL in 2025.

The players

Braxton Jones

The Bears' former starting left tackle who they parted ways with in the 2026 offseason.

Theo Benedet

The Bears' current offensive tackle who was graded as the 72nd best tackle in the NFL in 2025.

Taylor Decker

A former $60 million offensive lineman for the Detroit Lions who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and is now being linked to the Chicago Bears.

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The takeaway

The Bears are looking to upgrade their offensive line this offseason after a successful 2025 campaign, and the potential signing of the injury-prone but talented Taylor Decker could be a high-risk, high-reward move as they aim to build on their playoff appearance.