Taylor Decker

Taylor Decker's Biography

Taylor Decker, born on August 23, 1993, is an esteemed figure in American professional football. A steadfast offensive tackle, Decker’s career has been defined by his time with the Detroit Lions, a renowned team in the National Football League (NFL). However, his sporting journey has been shaped by multiple challenges and notable episodes that have honed his skills on the gridiron.

Born and raised in Ohio, Decker’s love for football started at Butler High School in Vandalia, where he committed three years as the starting left tackle. Recognizing his potential, Rivals.com rated him as a 4-star recruit and ranked him the 23rd best offensive tackle in his class. His initial commitment was to University of Notre Dame; however, he decided to pivot towards Ohio State University.

As a true freshman in the 2012 season, Decker participated in all 12 games, predominantly in special teams. However, by the following season, he had established himself as a vital player on the team, starting all 14 games as the right tackle. His skills continued to bloom in his junior year in 2014 when he moved from right tackle to left tackle, becoming the Buckeyes’ only returning starter on the offensive line. This stalwart performance led him to be a part of all 15 games, including the memorable victory in the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship against the Oregon Ducks.

Whisking him into the professional leagues was none other than the Detroit Lions, who picked Decker in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft with the 16th overall pick. Upon signing a four-year, $10.96 million fully guaranteed contract, Decker steadily became a force to be reckoned with. As a testament to his consistency, he started all 16 games in his rookie season, becoming the only player excluding quarterback Matthew Stafford to play every snap on offense for the Lions. This commendable season led to him gaining a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team and being named the Lions’ Rookie of the Year for 2016.

However, Decker’s career was met with a setback when he had to undergo shoulder surgery in 2017, sidelining him for four to six months. Despite these challenges, he returned stronger than ever in November that year, securing the left tackle position for the remainder of the season. In December 2018, Decker caught a touchdown pass from Stafford, marking his first career touchdown.

In 2019, the Lions opted to extend Decker’s contract for a fifth year, further demonstrating their faith in his abilities. That faith was rewarded in September 2020 when Decker signed a five-year, $70.35 million contract extension with the Lions, despite having battled appendicitis at the start of the season.

The 2021 season started with a bump as Decker was placed on injured reserve following a finger surgery. However, upon his return in November, he played and started in nine games in the season, scoring his second career touchdown on a pass from Tim Boyle in January 2022.

Besides his on-field prowess, Decker is also known for his friendly demeanor off the field, which earned him the media-friendly Good Guy Award in 2022 by the Detroit Sports Media Association and Detroit chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association. He continued his mechanical performance by starting in all 17 games in the 2022 season and 15 games in the 2023 season.

In July 2024, acknowledging his continued commitment and powerful performance on the field, the Lions agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract extension with Taylor Decker, further solidifying his pivotal role in the team.