More than four months after his release from the Detroit Lions, Taylor Decker is still available as a free agent. However, that might be about to change after a star suffered a season-ending injury.

Decker could join a divisional rival of the Lions after one of their stars suffered a ruptured patellar tendon injury. The team in question is the Chicago Bears after the injury to last season’s starting left tackle, Ozzy Trapilo.

“At this point in his career, Decker would make the most sense for a legitimate contender looking to add insurance to its offensive line,” wrote Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. “The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams spring to mind.”

On July 19, Knox released a list of the best NFL free agents still available in the market, and Decker was one of them.

"The fact that veteran left tackle Taylor Decker even became available this offseason was surprising. The longtime Detroit Lions starter was under contract for the 2026 season but was granted his release after he and the team failed to work out a revised contract," Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report wrote.

Decker is turning 33 next month, but he is still a capable starter. Last season, he allowed just two sacks in 2025 and ranked as the 41st overall offensive tackle by Pro Football Focus.

Another positive aspect is the familiarity Decker shares with the Bears’ head coach, Ben Johnson, who served as his offensive coordinator with the Lions from 2022 to 2024.

The Bears do have options within their roster as well, such as Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, and Jedrick Wills Jr.

However, Jones was benched last season for his poor performance, while Benedet is unproven, and Wills Jr. has a history of knee issues. It might be best for the Bears to go for Decker if they want to contend next season.

Meanwhile, one NFL analyst believes that Decker is more likely to end up with a former star teammate of his.

Taylor Decker touted to reunite with former teammate on NFC West team

While Taylor Decker has found it hard to sign with a new team during free agency, he now has another option other than the Bears as well.

This move would reunite Decker with his former longtime Detroit Lions teammate, quarterback Matthew Stafford. According to Christopher Kline of FanSided, Decker is most likely to sign with the Rams.

A major reason for the Rams to look towards Decker was the arrest of Alaric Jackson in June. Because Jackson could face potential league discipline, Kline believes Los Angeles offers a mutually beneficial landing spot for the free agent.

“Decker probably won't sign anywhere unless he believes there is a real chance to win a ring. The Rams are, on paper, the best football team in the country, with a reigning MVP under center and a who’s-who collection of playmakers around him,” wrote Kline. “It should not take too much convincing.”

With the Rams going all-in on winning a championship with Stafford as their star quarterback, especially after their trade for Myles Garrett, Decker joining the Rams makes the most sense.

Where do you think Taylor Decker lands next? Chicago or LA? Let us know in the comments! 

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Written by

Dhruv Vishnu Nair

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore