The Ugly Business Of Detroit Lions Football

When the Detroit Lions released 10-year veteran tackle Taylor Decker, fans strongly objected, feeling team management mishandled the situation. Decker’s release was viewed as disrespectful and unappreciative of the 10-year veteran’s contribution and personal sacrifice. When four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow was asked to repay a portion of his signing bonus, the fans were even more outraged. Was it disrespect or merely the ugly side of doing business as a professional football organization?

The Ugly Business Of Detroit Lions Football

In a corporate merger or acquisition, the incoming corporate leadership issues pink slips and brings in employees of their own choosing. It’s expected that with any regime change, key personnel will be let go. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a shock when NFL teams abruptly release beloved veterans. After all, professional football is a business, and the bottom line always comes first.

A Regime Change for Detroit Lions

After a decades-long legacy of disappointing losses, dismal failures, and dashed hopes, when Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell took over in 2021, they faced a tough road in turning around the fortunes of the Detroit franchise. The pair was in complete agreement that a crucial part of the rebuild involved a seismic cultural shift. Instead of focusing on the team’s history of failure, the players and the fans needed to believe that change was possible. 

When Holmes and Campbell assumed the leadership of the Lions, they inherited a woefully unsuccessful team roster from the Bob Quinn / Matt Patricia era. As with any corporate regime change, they wanted to put their own personnel in place. One of the first steps was to “clean house.”  

Campbell envisioned a Detroit football franchise that had the mental and physical stamina to fight back and overcome adversity. Like the city they represented, this team was tough and filled with grit. But to create that winning culture, Campbell needed each player to buy into his vision.

Before the team could begin the climb upward, they had to build a stronger foundation. That meant recruiting and signing the right kind of players.

Rebuilding The Roster From Scratch

The pair began to assemble a roster from scratch, choosing individuals through free agency and the draft. Holmes and Campbell sought talented, athletic players with the perseverance, discipline, and mental toughness who would come to define the team’s character.

When Holmes and Campbell came aboard, it soon became apparent that anyone who couldn’t meet the new standard was released. Only five players from the Quinn / Patricia era were retained. Decker and Ragnow were two of the five players retained in addtion to wide receiver Tom Kennedy, Pro Bowl punter Jack Fox, and offensive lineman Dan Skipper.  

Five years later, Kennedy and Fox are the only remaining active players from the group of five. Fan favorite Skipper, renowned for his perseverance, dedication, and work ethic, is now an offensive assistant with the team. 

Building an Elite Roster Through the Draft 

Putting their own stamp on the team culture, Holmes and Campbell began rebuilding the roster. Holmes went to work. Piece by piece, he used his scouting talents to strengthen the team’s weakest positions through smart draft choices and free agency. The trade for quarterback Jared Goff brought talent, leadership, Super Bowl experience, and a winning attitude that the team lacked. 

By any standard, Holmes’ first draft in 2021 was a tremendous success. Five of the seven players he selected are foundational members of the team today. Two of the players are All-Pros. Straight out of the gate, Holmes hit a home run, selecting All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell with the seventh overall selection. Next, he selected DT Levi Onwuzurike in the second round. Alim McNeil was drafted in the third.

Holmes’ selection of Amon-Ra St. Brown at number 112 is considered one of the best mid-round draft picks of all time. Choosing Derrick Barnes in the fourth round capped off a terrific first draft class. Only Ifeatu Melifonwu (drafted in the third round) and Jermar Jefferson (drafted in the seventh round) aren’t with the team today.   

Sewell and St. Brown are elite NFL talents. Barnes had an outstanding 2025 season with 78 tackles (40 solo), 4.0 sacks, one safety, three PDFs, and an interception. Onwuzurike missed all of last season due to injury. McNeill was still suffering the lingering effects of his 2024 injury when he returned mid-season. However, both are expected to return to form this year.

The High Cost of Maintaining A Roster

In assembling one of the most talented rosters in the league, Holmes selected players who are smashing NFL records. Retaining elite NFL talent comes with a huge cost. Consequently, they must be compensated based on the prevailing market rate. 

However, with the NFL contract prices skyrocketing each season, it becomes harder to retain premier talent. Aidan Hutchinson is the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback after signing a four-year, $180 million extension. Other contract extensions to Sewell, Jared Goff, St. Brown, McNeill, Jameson Williams, and Kerby Joseph are already on the books.  

Entering the 2026 off-season, the Lions had one of the more restrictive salary cap situations and were projected to be approximately $9-$12 million over the cap. In addition, the Lions are expected to sign huge extensions this year to retain Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Jack Campbell, and Brian Branch. Fortunately, restructuring Goff’s contract saved the team approximately $32 million

Was it Disrespect, or Business As Usual?

The cost of building a winning football organization that’s capable of reaching the sport’s highest echelon means the bottom line must take precedence over personalities. Beloved players get cut because the organization can’t afford to retain everyone. Sadly, that’s why the Lions released Decker. Keeping Alex Anzalone or Al-Quadin Muhammad was also impossible because the team couldn’t afford their projected NFL market rate. Trading David Montgomery made sense from a business standpoint because of his trade value in the marketplace. But as hard as it is to see these talented individuals depart, from the player’s perspective, they’re gaining enhanced opportunities elsewhere.    

Should Exceptions Be Made For Extraordinary Talents? 

Outgoing team president Rod Wood set an ugly precedent of asking legendary players Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson to repay portions of their pay.  He made the same mistake with Ragnow. It was a bad business move then, and it’s an even worse one now. While others have spoken up on Ragnow’s behalf, he allegedly repaid the $3 million and remained silent. Does this sum really make a significant difference to the Lions’ bottom line?  

Time and again, Ragnow and Decker demonstrated their dedication, playing through serious injuries and taking on whatever role was asked of them. Even after Decker was unceremoniously given the choice of taking a pay cut to remain in Detroit or seeking his release to go elsewhere, he remains steadfast. Currently a free agent, Decker was asked if he would consider playing for division rivals, the Chicago Bears or Green Bay Packers, this season. In a show of tremendous loyalty to Detroit, Decker told Justin Rogers he “would feel dirty doing so.”

“Taylor Decker wants to be remembered as a Lion, to the point where he wants back in the fold,” Rogers said. “Wherever this season may go, whether he plays for someone else or doesn’t, he wants to come here, sign the one-day contract, retire a Lion.”

Hopefully, Decker can return to the team so he can retire in Detroit. But for the team, there is a lesson to be learned from this public relations debacle. There are times it’s more important to reward deserving players. Showing a player respect, appreciation, and gratitude is more valuable than the bottom line.