Taylor Decker has been clear about wanting to spend his entire career with the Lions. He's one step closer after signing a three-year extension with the team entering his contract season. GM Brad Holmes announced the news Monday morning on the Costa & Jansen Show.
"We like to take care of our own," Holmes said. "With Taylor Decker, we just got his extension done on a three-year, so we’re really excited about him, too."
The deal is worth $60 million total, per ESPN. It will keep the Lions' stalwart left tackle and one of their team leaders in Detroit through the 2027 season. Decker turns 30 in August.
"Deck has been a key cog of what we’ve been building, what we’ve been doing," said Holmes. "His leadership, his professionalism, he’s a guy that really embraced our culture, so he’s a big part of what we do. It all starts up front with the offensive line, as we all know. Just really, really happy that we were able to get that one done, and happy for Deck and his family."
Decker is the fourth major contributor the Lions have extended this offseason after they reached the NFC title game last season, joining quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell. Their offensive line has been the bedrock of their success.
Sewell's new deal makes him the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL, while Decker's makes him the seventh highest-paid left tackle. Frank Ragnow is the NFL's highest-paid center. That trio has helped fuel a top five offense for the last two seasons. Detroit also extended guard Graham Glasgow this offseason and signed Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency.
The Lions' longest-tenured player, Decker was drafted in the first round by Detroit in 2016. He's started 112 games over his eight-year career, the club's only constant through three head coaches and two general managers.
Despite years of losing, Decker remained committed to the organization that drafted him. He takes great pride in helping the Lions finally build a winner under Holmes and Dan Campbell. Now he has a new deal to show for it.