Detroit Lions Report Card: Taylor Decker’s 2025 Season Earns a C- Grade

For nearly a decade, Taylor Decker has been one of the Detroit Lions’ constants. Through coaching changes, front-office turnover and roster overhauls, the left tackle spot rarely needed a second thought. That alone speaks to Decker’s value to the franchise. But in 2025, for the first time, the Lions are facing real questions about whether that stability is nearing its end.

Decker, 32, played in 14 games this season and finished with a C- grade, a reflection of declining efficiency and the reality that age has begun to show in meaningful ways. It was one of the least effective seasons of his career and one that places Detroit at a crossroads as it looks ahead to 2026.

Pass protection has long been Decker’s calling card, but even that strength slipped. Among 69 qualified tackles, Decker ranked 45th in pass block win rate, a noticeable drop from previous seasons when he routinely graded as a reliable, above-average protector. While he avoided catastrophic breakdowns, the margin for error was thinner, and opposing edge rushers found more success turning the corner than in years past.

The run game was an even bigger concern. Decker ranked 61st in run block win rate, struggling to consistently generate movement or seal the edge. Detroit’s offense did not collapse because of his play, but it also did not benefit from it the way it once did. Too often, runs designed to hit off left tackle stalled early, forcing backs to improvise.

Durability was not a major issue, but availability was not perfect, either. Decker missed three games, and while that is hardly alarming on its own, it adds to the broader evaluation of a veteran lineman entering his 11th NFL season. The Lions have grown accustomed to Decker being dependable, not just steady, and that gap became noticeable in 2025.

Beyond performance, Decker’s situation is complicated by uncertainty about his future. He is under contract, but retirement is on the table, and the financial implications are significant. If Detroit were to move on before June 1, the team could save close to $20 million. That number alone ensures Decker’s status will be one of the most discussed storylines of the offseason.

What makes the decision more challenging is historical context. Decker has played all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Lions, serving as a quiet anchor during both losing years and the franchise’s rise under general manager Brad Holmes. During Holmes’ tenure, left tackle has never been a position of urgent need. That could change quickly.

If Decker retires or is released, Detroit would face a hole at one of the most important spots on the roster, one it has not had to address in the Holmes era. Replacing a long-time starter at left tackle is rarely seamless, especially for a team with championship aspirations.

The C- grade reflects respect for Decker’s career while acknowledging a clear downturn. This was not a disastrous season, but it was one of his worst, and it underscored that time is undefeated. Whether 2025 proves to be Decker’s final chapter or merely a transition year, the Lions must prepare for a future without the player who protected their blind side for a decade.