The Chicago Bears could be the eventual winners of the Detroit Lions' release of Taylor Decker. Decker, of course, has familiarity with Bears head coach Ben Johnson from their three years together in the Motor City.
During his ascension to the Lions' starting blindside in front of Jared Goff, Decker ceded 20 sacks and 109 pressures during Johnson's three seasons under head coach Dan Campbell. The veteran blocker also made his first Pro Bowl during Johnson's final season in Detroit.
The Windy City is a safe place for Decker to land because of that connection. Decker has struggled under Johnson and come out the other side a better player. The relationship is a proven entity. It goes beyond Johnson, though.
Bears Could Welcome Taylor Decker with Open Arms
Lions general manager Brad Holmes clearly wasn't looking out for a fellow trench player.
Bears GM Ryan Poles, a former offensive guard himself, is known for not taking any player for granted. In fact, during the Bears' time on HBO's Hard Knocks, Poles was visibly bothered by having to cut free safety Adrian Colbert two years ago.
"It's been an honor," Colbert told Poles in 2024. "Not even just that, being around you guys, being around the front office, being around the coaches and the players, who have embraced me for being me. You don't really find many places like that."
Not only is the Johnson connection there, too, but Decker could soon find himself in the friendliest GM-player relationship he's ever been in if he and Chicago can figure out an arrangement that works.
Decker is a winner by trade but hasn't been doing much of that during his professional career. He won a national title with the Ohio State Buckeyes, helping OSU win the first title of the four-team College Football Playoff era. In Detroit, he's made the NFC Playoffs just three times. He saw a seven-year gap between his first and second appearances.
After making the NFC Divisional Round and losing a closely contested matchup with the Los Angeles Rams in overtime, the Bears have legitimate potential to be. Meanwhile, the Lions watch the NFL postseason from the comfort of their couches.
Bears' OT Depth Could Use Decker's Help
With Ozzy Trapilo out for the season from a ruptured patellar tendon during the team's come-from-behind win against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round, there's a clear opening for Decker to fill in Chicago.
Relying on Theo Benedet could backfire, since Johnson proved he didn't trust him by barely deploying him in the postseason. Switching Jordan McFadden back to tackle robs depth at guard. Keeping the status quo while hoping Decker could be an adequate Trapilo fill-in keeps the ceiling and floor at a playoff height.
As Caleb Williams continues to improve, giving him as much time to make something happen on every possession gives the Bears the chance to win every game, even with DJ Moore gone.
If Williams is generational like he appears to be, he'll make a new star in the WR room. That can't happen if he's getting successfully flanked every drive. Decker isn't far removed from being that kind of player. He may still be in the right system. And we know Johnson has the right system for him.
Chicago has everything Decker could want in an employer. It seems like it's only a matter of time before both sides realize this and make something happen.