NEWS FLASH:Taylor Decker is obviously the next recipient of a contract extension from the Lions…
Taylor Decker is obviously the next recipient of a contract extension from the Lions...
Taylor Decker is certainly the “next man up” to receive a contract extension from the Lions, and it only seems a matter of time.
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 absolutely want to finish my career here,” Decker told MLive. “Ultimately, I believe this is where I want to be. Of course, you desire money, but I actually enjoy being here. I enjoy being here. I was able to participate in climbing out of the trenches, and it’s been interesting to see the other side over the last year and a half. I’m not sure what will happen with the contract…but do I really want to be here forever? A hundred percent. So, let’s 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.
The Lions should consider extending Taylor Decker’s contract, as he 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 per 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 imply outperforming 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.
Decker, who has been a stalwart at left tackle in Detroit for nearly a decade, has began conversations with Lions officials about extending his contract. 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.”
-Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report
Decker had a “down year” in terms of sacks allowed last year, but he was also Pro Football Focus’ ninth-highest graded offensive tackle (81.1 overall grade) and earned the 14th-best pass blocking rating at the position (79.4). Even his run blocking grade (73.9) was the second-best of his career and ranked among the top 20 at the position.
After the Lions signed deals with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, and Jared Goff this offseason, Decker has been widely seen as the next player in line for an extension. If they sign another contract before the season begins that does not include Decker, something has most likely gone wrong in contract negotiations.
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