Caleb Williams’ Chicago Bears tied to $42 million Detroit Lions offensive tackle (Image via Getty: Detroit Lions logo and Chicago Bears logo)
The Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes took a significant pay cut to accommodate other key players, including their star tight end, Travis Kelce. But when the Detroit Lions asked their offensive tackle, Taylor Decker, to do the same, he refused.
The next thing? Jared Goff’s franchise accepted Decker’s request to release him.Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters, “You never want a player to feel like something has happened to them that they don’t feel good about.” The coach further called the veteran a stud and said he gave the franchise a lot over three regimes [Jim Caldwell era, Matt Patricia/Bob Quinn era, and Dan Campbell/Brad Holmes era]. The 32-year-old OT would always be a Lion, and he’d be missed in Motor City.Anyhow, this leaves other analysts to predict where the free agent will land, with one team being linked to him for weeks: the Caleb Williams-led Chicago Bears. Yes, the
Ben Johnson
connection.
NFL Trade Rumors : Caleb Williams ’ Bears connected to Lions OT Taylor Decker
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport released a list of eight aging free agents who have the potential to become difference makers in the 2026 season. The analyst mentioned Detroit’s Decker as one of those. The Lions’ loss would be someone else’s gain.
It’s because of the tackle’s NFL resume.PFF ranks him 67.9 overall grade [41st among 89 qualified OTs], 69.5 for pass blocking [45th position], and 62.1 for run blocking [57th position] for 2025. He played almost 900 offensive snaps, allowing 33 pressures [2 sacks, 3 hits]. He was flagged for five penalties.The Bears’ connection has been happening for weeks now, but it was reiterated after their head coach, Ben Johnson, a former offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, reached out to Decker.
Chicago coach Ben Johnson’s connection to Detroit left tackle
Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers got in touch with Decker, who said the Bears coach reached out to him and spoke to him as a friend. It was a stark contrast from the Lions staff, because he hadn’t heard from them once since his release.FanSided’s Anthony Kerr reports Johnson’s interest in one of his former pupils could not only mean that he was trying to do the right thing, but also that there could be a possible reunion of the two in the Windy City.The Chicago coach and Detroit OT have seen the Lions’ rise from the NFC basement to a perennial playoff contender. The OT made his first Pro Bowl in the final season of Johnson in Detroit.This coach-player relationship could offer an edge over other OT offers on the market, and with recent developments, Decker could end up as Chicago’s starting left tackle in the near future.The coach has already brought in former Lions wide receiver and return specialist Kalif Raymond.
Another reunion would make perfect sense for both parties: the coach gains a proven commitment, while the player finds a new home.
Lions’ OT Taylor Decker could fill in for Bears’ OT Ozzy Trapilo
Heavy Sports’ Isaac Zuniga suggests Chicago could bring the veteran OT on a one-year deal while their Ozzy Trapilo recovers from injury. The in-house left tackle suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the postseason victory over the Matt LaFleur’s Green Bay Packers. At the NFL Owners’ Meetings, Johnson said Trapilo had a “pretty serious injury,” and that all options are on the table at left tackle. Sports Illustrated’s Mike Moraitis calls Chicago the top destination spot for Detroit’s Decker. The in-house options [Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills, and Theo Benedet] for the Bears may witness competition for the starter role. Jones was benched last season. Wills is prone to injury and hasn’t played a snap since 2024, and Benedet is not of starting caliber.Spotrac’s calculated market value projects the Lions’ OT to land a two-year, $42 million contract, which gives him a $21 million average annual income. The biggest roadblock could be Chicago’s cap space $1 million. But if the coach really wants his former pupil, GM Ryan Poles could think of a way. The franchise would be investing in someone who could be an upgrade for Caleb Williams’ blindside. Williams will be looking for a season beyond 11-6. Because he has just got started…after a terrible rookie season. So, would they sign Decker? Remains to be seen…
