DETROIT (AP) — Taylor Decker endured a lot of losing early in his career with the Detroit Lions and the team plans to have the veteran offensive tackle around to potentially experience some success, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season.
Decker signed a $60 million, three-year extension Monday, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms were not announced.
Detroit drafted Decker out of Ohio State with the No. 16 pick overall in 2016 and he was entering the last year of his contract before reaching the new deal.
“It’s not lost on me on the fact that a lot of guys don’t get to spend their whole career with one team, and hopefully that’s in the cards for me,” said Decker, who turns 30 in August. “From the contract extension, that seems like it’s in the cards. I’m very fortunate."
Decker has started 112 games in his career, including 15 in the 2023 regular season when the NFC North champion Lions advanced to the NFC championship game. He has started at least 15 games in six seasons while injuries limited him to nine games in 2021 and eight in 2017.
Detroit's offensive line is perhaps the strength of the team and Decker is the leader of the unit, which includes All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell and three-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow.
The Lions won nine games in Decker's rookie season and made the playoffs. After matching the win total the next season in 2017, during coach Jim Caldwell's final season, Detroit lost 46 games over the next four years in two-plus seasons under Matt Patricia and in Dan Campbell's debut season with the franchise.
A late-season surge in 2022 started a turnaround and the Lions took another step last season, matching a team record with 12 wins and earning two victories in one postseason for the first time since 1957.
“I'm glad that the Lions continue to see the value I can add to this team, moving forward,” Decker said. “I'm excited to see it through. This will be nine years I've been here now. There's been highs and lows, and it seems like we're on an upswing right now.”
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Larry Lage, The Associated Press
