The Chicago Bears are running out of options to solidify the most important spot on the offensive line in the wake of Ozzy Trapilo’s knee injury back in January.
One clear solution remains unemployed as the calendar flips from April to May and the NFL draft falls into the background of the offseason: former Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker.
Decker, a Pro Bowler in 2024, started at LT for the Bears’ NFC North Division rivals for 10 years before requesting his release in 2026. The Lions acquiesced, voided the remainder of Decker’s $60 million contract and allowed him to enter unrestricted free agency heading into his age-33 campaign.
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus dubbed Chicago the “ideal landing spot” for Decker on Thursday, April 30, while also naming the left tackle among the top 10 remaining free agents and the best at his particular position.
Even though Decker’s 67.9 overall PFF grade was his lowest since 2017, he allowed only three hits and two sacks along 525 opportunities. Further, Decker’s pass-blocking efficiency score has never ended below 96.0, indicating his reliability in pass protection.
It’s a bit surprising that Decker hasn’t already reunited with former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson considering that Trapilo could miss most or all of 2026 due to his ruptured patella tendon suffered in the playoffs. Even though the Bears do have possible starters in Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet and Jedrick Wills Jr., the decorated veteran Decker would be a meaningful upgrade with few strings attached.
Taylor Decker Does Not Like Idea of Joining Bears Due to Rivalry With Lions
GettyLeft tackle Taylor Decker, formerly of the Detroit Lions.
The reunion with Johnson makes complete sense on paper. Decker has also gotten a taste of winning in Detroit over the last three years and presumably wants to continue delighting his senses with the robust flavor of success at the highest levels.
Chicago can offer him that, at least theoretically, after Johnson turned around the team in one offseason, leading the Bears to a division title and a playoff victory before coming up one overtime period shy of a berth in the NFC Championship Game.
But there are two problems with Locker’s suggestion. The first is what some might describe as an uncommon pull of loyalty to the Lions on Decker’s behalf in the contemporary era of professional sports.
“I will tell you that he’s pretty anti-playing for the Bears or [Green Bay] Packers,” Justin Rodgers of DetroitFootball.net said on the Lions Collective podcast early this month. “I know Ben Johnson did it and that was the right situation for him, but Taylor feels kind of dirty about the idea.”
Bears Only Need Left Tackle for 1 Year, as Ozzy Trapilo Likely Back Late Next Season
GettyLeft tackle Ozzy Trapilo of the Chicago Bears.
The chance to start, and win, for an exciting team on the rise could ultimately prove a strong enough attractant to change Decker’s mind. And, there’s also the money to consider.
But that brings us to the second potential issue with Locker’s Decker-Bears proposal. He suggests a one-year contract. However, Spotrac projects Decker’s market value at approximately $21.3 million annually over a new two-year deal.
Left tackle is a crucial position, especially for teams with good, young quarterbacks who throw with their right hands and need to remain upright — which is a fairly accurate description of Caleb Williams as he enters his third season in Chicago.
Decker may well be able to hold out for the right offer and get multiple years on a new contract, despite a downturn in his advanced metrics in 2025 and ever-increasing age.
Trapilo was a second-round draft pick in 2025 who grew into the starting role down the stretch, taking it from Benedet, who took it from Jones earlier in the season. Trapilo is likely to get back to action late in 2026.
He may not be prepared to return to a starting role in the throes of a playoff push or the like, but save for another injury, Trapilo should be more than ready to roll come Week 1 in 2027 with two years remaining on an affordable rookie contract.
As such, Chicago might buck at the idea of paying an expensive free agent like Decker for two years, when the Bears really only need him for one.
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