As the Detroit Lions gear up for another season, the chatter around potential trades has mainly been focused on acquiring fresh talent. But NFL analyst Robert Mays of The Athletic recently threw a surprising idea into the conversation—suggesting that the Lions could trade left tackle Taylor Decker.
Could Taylor Decker Be Moved?
Mays, while discussing possible trade targets for teams in need of a reliable left tackle, proposed that Decker could be one of the players the Lions might consider moving. He mentioned the Kansas City Chiefs as a team that could be in the market for a tackle, making the case for Decker. “Another guy I’d mentioned with Kansas City and just teams that need a left tackle in general, I’d sniff around Taylor Decker if I were one of these teams as a trade candidate,” Mays said as quoted by A to Z Sports.
He also noted the Lions’ heavy investment in their roster, particularly with extensions and the drafting of potential replacements. “This team (Lions) has spent big on a lot of extensions. Recently, they traded up for that fourth-round developmental left tackle last year, (Giovanni) Manu, so they’ve got some guys potentially in the pipeline,” Mays explained. Furthermore, Mays pointed out the financial benefit of trading Decker, suggesting that such a move could free up $22 million in cap space for the Lions by 2026.
The Challenges of Trading Decker
While Mays’ reasoning is solid from a financial standpoint, trading away a key player like Decker is much more complicated. Decker, as one of the foundational players on the Lions’ offensive line, brings more than just skill. His leadership in the locker room and consistency on the field are major assets that have helped solidify the Lions’ offensive line. Moving him would leave a substantial gap that could be tough to fill, especially for a team looking to compete for a Super Bowl.
“Yeah, he’s getting a little older,” Mays acknowledged, but he also made it clear that Decker’s impact on the field and in the locker room is undeniable. The Lions’ ability to make a deep playoff run relies heavily on the stability of their offensive line, and trading away Decker without an adequate replacement would be a risky move.
My Thoughts
While Mays’ analysis offers an interesting perspective on the Lions’ potential cap space, I personally don’t see the team trading Taylor Decker. Decker is more than just a player; he’s a leader who’s integral to the team’s success. Trading him away would be a huge gamble, especially when the Lions are positioning themselves as serious Super Bowl contenders.
Brad Holmes and the front office likely understand the value of continuity in the offensive line, particularly with Jared Goff and the offense’s chemistry. Moving Decker would create a void that could disrupt that stability, making the trade more trouble than it’s worth. Unless a proven replacement is ready to step in, the Lions are better off holding onto Decker and continuing to build around him.
Bottom Line
Robert Mays’ suggestion of trading Taylor Decker brings an interesting financial angle into the conversation, but it’s hard to see the Detroit Lions parting ways with such a key player. Decker’s leadership and on-field performance are critical as the Lions look to make a deep playoff run. For now, it seems like Decker will remain an essential part of the Lions’ plans as they push toward a Super Bowl.
