The Detroit Lions shockingly lost their veteran left tackle right before free agency. Taylor Decker requested to be released over an alleged contract dispute, and, against all odds, he's still a free agent.
Despite taking a $9.4 million dead-money cap hit for his release, the Lions could and should still consider working things out with him. He's more familiar with the team than the recently signed Larry Borom, who's more of a swing tackle rather than a starting option.
Unfortunately, the Lions may not get that chance. In fact, they may have to go against Decker twice a year, as he's a no-brainer signing for the Green Bay Packers, especially if his market value continues to drop.
Packers May Steal Taylor Decker in Free Agency
As expected, the Packers parted ways with veteran LT Rasheed Walker when the offseason began. He had to settle for a one-year, $4 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, so the market for left tackles clearly isn't in a great place right now.
That's where Decker comes in.
As things stand now, the Packers will have to roll with former first-round pick Jordan Morgan at left tackle. That's his preferred position and the spot he thrived in college, but he's struggled mightily to find his footing in the league, and is coming off a season that saw him allow 24 pressures (four sacks) while taking five penalties, according to Pro Football Focus.
Granted, most of that has been due to the Packers' decision to play him all over the offensive line and mostly at guard. He might be better once he returns to his usual position, but they may not want to take that risk.
Per PFF, Decker only gave up two sacks in 551 pass-block snaps last season.
The Packers might feel differently about Morgan now that Decker is still available to end March. Spotrac projects Decker's market value at two years and $42.65 million; however, it's hard to imagine him garnering that much at this stage of the offseason.
Given the lack of potential options, how his market has shaped, and the fact that there will likely be multiple OTs taken in the first round, the walls might be closing in on him. Decker is running out of options, and the Packers could be one of his final opportunities at a meaningful role next season, even if it's on a cheaper-than-expected deal.
Crossing enemy lines is a part of the NFL experience, but that doesn't mean it'd be any weirder to see Decker in a Packers jersey if he heads down that route. Lions fans will be monitoring the situation as closely as possible, trying to figure out if a fan favorite will become a new enemy before the offseason is over.