To make room for other important players, like their standout tight end Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star quarterback Patrick Mahomes accepted a large pay reduction. However, Taylor Decker, the Detroit Lions’ offensive tackle, declined to perform the same action when requested. What happens next? Decker asked for and received his release from Jared Goff’s franchise.
“You never want a player to feel like something has happened to them that they don’t feel good about,” head coach Dan Campbell told reporters. Additionally, the coach referred to the seasoned player as a star and said that throughout three administrations [the Jim Caldwell era, the Matt Patricia/Bob Quinn era, and the Dan Campbell/Brad Holmes era], he had given the franchise a lot. Motor City would miss the 32-year-old OT, who would always be a Lion.
In any case, this leaves other analysts to speculate on the free agent’s landing spot, with one team being connected to him for weeks: the Chicago Bears, led by Caleb Williams. The link to Ben Johnson, yes.
NFL Trade Rumors: Lions OT Taylor Decker linked to Bears with Caleb Williams
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report published a list of eight veteran free agents who might be game changers in the 2026 season. Detroit’s Decker was named by the analyst as one of those. Somebody else would benefit from the Lions’ defeat. Due to the tackle’s NFL résumé.
For 2025, PFF gives him an overall grade of 67. 9, which places him 41st out of 89 eligible OTs, a pass-blocking grade of 69. 5, which ranks 45th, and a run-blocking grade of 62. 1, which ranks 57th. He gave up 33 pressures (including 2 sacks and 3 hits) in over 900 offensive snaps. He was flagged for five infractions.
The Bears’ relationship has been going on for weeks, but it was reaffirmed when Ben Johnson, their head coach who previously served as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, contacted Decker.
Ben Johnson, the coach of Chicago, has ties to the Detroit left tackle.
Decker told Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network that the Bears coach had approached him and treated him like a buddy. Since his release, he hadn’t heard from the Lions crew at all, which was in stark contrast to his experience.
Johnson’s interest in one of his former students, according to Anthony Kerr of FanSided, may indicate not just that he was attempting to do the right thing, but that the two might reunite in the Windy City.
The Lions’ ascent from the bottom of the NFC to a perennial playoff contender has been witnessed by the Detroit OT and the Chicago coach. In the last year of Johnson’s career in Detroit, the OT earned his first Pro Bowl.
Decker might eventually start at left tackle for Chicago in the not-too-distant future because of recent events, and this connection between coach and player may provide a benefit over competing OT offers on the market.
Former Lions wide receiver and return specialist Kalif Raymond has already been recruited by the coach. A reunion would be ideal for everyone involved: The player finds a new home, and the coach gains a demonstrated commitment.
Bears’ OT Ozzy Trapilo might be replaced by Lions’ OT Taylor Decker.
Isaac Zuniga of Heavy Sports believes that Chicago might sign the veteran OT to a one-year contract as their Ozzy Trapilo heals from his injury. In the postseason win against Matt LaFleur’s Green Bay Packers, the in-house left tackle sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon. Johnson told the NFL Owners’ Meetings that Trapilo’s left tackle injury was “pretty serious” and that all possibilities were up for discussion.
Mike Moraitis of Sports Illustrated ranks Chicago as the best place for Detroit’s Decker to visit. Competition for the starting position may occur among the Bears’ in-house candidates [Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills, and Theo Benedet]. Last season, Jones was kept on the sidelines. Benedet is not of starting caliber, and Wills is prone to injuries and hasn’t played since 2024.
According to Spotrac’s assessed market value, the Lions’ OT will earn an average annual income of $21 million from a two-year, $42 million contract.
Chicago’s million-dollar cap space may be the most significant obstacle. However, GM Ryan Poles might come up with a solution if the coach truly wants his former student. Someone who may be a better option for Caleb Williams’ blindside is who the franchise would be investing in.
Williams hopes for a season that goes beyond 11-6. Since he’s just beginning… after a terrible debut year. Would they then sign Decker? It is still unknown…
