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Jared Goff, Lions Receive Good News Amid NFL Offseason
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Detroit Lions had a disappointing season, finishing 9‑8 and missing the NFL playoffs just one year after winning 15 games and earning the top seed in the NFC.

Losing former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who left to coach the Chicago Bears, played a role in the regression, but the inconsistent play of the offensive line was also a major factor.

Quarterback Jared Goff faced far more pressure than the year before, and Detroit’s offense struggled to deliver in key moments late in the season when the playoff race tightened.

Even so, there was one steady bright spot up front. Left tackle Taylor Decker remained a reliable force, keeping Goff as protected as possible and helping Detroit finish top five in points at 28.3 per game.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16)Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

As the offseason continued, there was real concern that Decker might retire. He still has one year remaining on his three‑year, $60 million extension, but he has already spent ten seasons in Detroit since being drafted in the first round in 2016. He has earned one Pro Bowl selection since then.

In January, he openly admitted he was contemplating retirement when speaking with reporters. Fortunately, on Tuesday, Decker appeared to put those concerns to rest. He posted an image on Instagram of himself running out of the tunnel at Ford Field.

In the caption, he wrote, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? And I said, Here am I; SEND ME! #Year11.” The message strongly suggests he is returning for his eleventh NFL season, which is significant for a Lions team that needs stability on the offensive line.

This is an important development for Detroit because Decker remains a proven veteran presence, and with new additions expected this offseason to reshape the rest of the line, keeping him for another year provides leadership and continuity.

It is also good news for Goff. Decker graded out at a high level last season, allowing only two sacks in 894 offensive snaps and just three quarterback hits, numbers that ranked among the top-30 tackles in the league (h/t PFF). He also offers positional flexibility and has shown durability, appearing in and starting 14 games in each of the past two seasons.

For a Lions team looking to rebound and return to playoff contention, having Decker back for another year gives them a dependable anchor on the left side and another leader alongside Goff.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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