Taylor Decker remains unsigned deep into August, and Bleacher Report analyst Kristopher Knox has now linked the veteran left tackle to the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears.
The Detroit Lions released Decker in March after he refused a pay cut on the $18.2 million he was owed for 2026.
Adoree’ Jackson also lingers on the open market, with the Dallas Cowboys among the teams reportedly circling the veteran cornerback.
What Is Confirmed About Taylor Decker’s Release
Decker asked Detroit for his release after contract talks stalled, refusing to accept a pay cut on his $18.2 million salary that included a $1.5 million roster bonus.
The Lions granted his wish, cutting the 32-year-old just two days before the new league year opened in March 2026.
Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers reported that Bears coach Ben Johnson, Decker’s former Lions offensive coordinator, reached out to him personally after the release and spoke to him as a friend.
Decker told Rogers that stood in stark contrast to the Detroit staff, who never contacted him once after cutting him loose.
Rams and Stafford Reunion Makes Sense on Paper
FanSided’s Brad Berreman pitched the Rams as a fit built on history rather than scheme.
Decker and Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford overlapped in Detroit for five seasons, giving the pairing a familiarity most free-agent fits never carry.
The Rams also have real motivation at tackle.
Starter Alaric Jackson could face discipline tied to a June arrest, though ESPN’s Sarah Bishop reported no felony charge was filed.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, Ivor Pine, said in a statement:
“Charges are not filed against the respondent at this time. However, the case stays open throughout the length of the statute of limitations. It can be re-evaluated if there are further developments.”
Knox separately reported Alaric Jackson landed in a diversion program instead of prosecution.
That uncertainty is exactly why a win-now roster like the Rams keeps surfacing in Decker speculation.
Adoree’ Jackson’s Market Includes the Cowboys
According to reporting by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Dallas has explored cornerback help beyond adding pass rusher Von Miller, and Jackson is one name to watch.
Jackson played for current Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, and that shared history is driving the interest.
Jackson visited Dallas back in May, but no contract materialized, according to Pro Football Rumors.
Dallas Morning News reporter Calvin Watkins added that the visit went well, though nothing is currently imminent between the two sides.
Given how the cornerback market has shifted after deals like Devon Witherspoon’s record-setting extension, a veteran bridge option carries real appeal for a defense still under construction.
Dallas’ broader defensive spending, detailed in the team’s Von Miller addition, shows Jerry Jones has cap room and the appetite to keep adding.
Decker’s Numbers Support a Moderate-to-High Market
PFF graded Decker’s 2025 season at 67.9 overall, 41st among 89 qualified tackles, with a 69.5 pass-blocking grade that ranked 45th.
His run-blocking grade sat at 62.1, 57th among peers, over roughly 900 offensive snaps.
He allowed 33 pressures, including two sacks and three hits, and drew five penalty flags.
Spotrac’s calculated market value pegs Decker at two years, $42 million, or $21 million annually, with a moderate-to-high signing likelihood.
That places him in the same contract-market conversation shaping deals like Keeanu Benton’s extension with Pittsburgh, where teams keep paying for proven starters over unproven depth.
| Category | Details |
| Player Name | Taylor Decker |
| Current Team | None. Released by the Detroit Lions in March 2026. |
| Landing Spots | Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears |
| Contract Status | Unrestricted free agent |
| Spotrac Market Value | Two years, $42 million ($21 million AAV) |
| Signing Likelihood | Moderate to high |
What Happens Next for Both Free Agents
Preseason is now underway, and both markets should resolve fast as teams stress-test their lines and secondaries in live reps.
Chicago’s Ozzy Trapilo, recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon, gives the Bears a direct incentive to move on Decker before roster cuts.
Dallas, meanwhile, has the cap space to add Jackson without disrupting its other additions. Expect roster-cut season in late August to force decisions on both veterans, one way or the other.
