Taylor Decker refuses to play for Bears, Packers after Lions exit

The veteran tackle wants to play for a winner but doesn't want to join Detroit's NFC North rivals.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:28pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Detroit Lions football player in action, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color in the team's signature blue and silver hues.Decker's refusal to join the Bears or Packers after leaving the Lions reflects his deep-rooted loyalty to the franchise that drafted him.Today in Detroit

After being released by the Detroit Lions, veteran left tackle Taylor Decker has made it clear he has no interest in signing with the Chicago Bears or Green Bay Packers. Decker, who was drafted by the Lions in 2016, wants to retire as a member of the team and is not keen on the idea of joining one of Detroit's divisional foes, even if it means joining a winning organization.

Why it matters

Decker's refusal to play for the Bears or Packers after his release from the Lions highlights the strong loyalty and connection he has developed with the Detroit franchise over his 10-year career. This decision could limit his options in free agency, but it also speaks to the importance he places on finishing his career with the team that drafted him.

The details

Lions reporter Justin Rogers explained that Decker "wants to play for a winner" but is hesitant about the idea of "going to win somewhere else" after investing so much in the Lions organization. Decker reportedly feels it would be "kind of dirty" to join the Bears or Packers, the two main rivals of the Lions in the NFC North. However, Rogers noted that Decker could potentially change his mind and join a team mid-season if the "right offer occurs" and he gets further removed from his time with the Lions.

  • Decker was released by the Detroit Lions before the start of NFL free agency in 2026.

The players

Taylor Decker

A veteran left tackle who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2016 and has been the team's blindside protector ever since. He was recently released by the Lions and has made it clear he has no interest in joining their NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears or Green Bay Packers.

Justin Rogers

A reporter who covers the Detroit Lions and provided insight into Decker's mindset following his release from the team.

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What they’re saying

“He wants to play for a winner. Yet he's kind of thinking about, 'Is it cheap to go win somewhere else after you've invested all your energy emotionally and physically into one franchise?'”

— Justin Rogers, Lions reporter

“I will tell you that he's pretty anti-playing for the Bears or Packers. That's the Lions background in him. I know Ben Johnson did it and that was the right situation for him, but Taylor feels kind of dirty about the idea. It just isn't interesting to him.”

— Justin Rogers, Lions reporter

“Taylor Decker wants to be remembered as a Lion, to the point where he wants back in the fold. Wherever this season may go, whether he plays for someone else or doesn't, he wants to come here, sign the one-day contract, retire a Lion.”

— Justin Rogers, Lions reporter

What’s next

Decker will likely explore options with other teams during free agency, but it remains to be seen if he will change his stance on joining the Bears or Packers. If he does not find the right fit, he may choose to retire as a member of the Detroit Lions.

The takeaway

Taylor Decker's strong loyalty to the Detroit Lions organization and his unwillingness to join their divisional rivals, the Bears and Packers, even if it means joining a winning team, highlights the importance of player-franchise relationships in the NFL. Decker's desire to retire as a Lion speaks to the lasting impact he has had on the team and the city of Detroit.