Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68). Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Weird Twist Emerges in Detroit Lions Ghosting Taylor Decker

Originally posted on Detroit Lions on SI
By John Maakaron | Last updated Apr 3, 2026 5:57 PM ET

The Detroit Lions have not had the best couple of weeks in regards to how the public views the organization.

Veteran left tackle Taylor Decker shared that he did not have contact with leadership at all, after he made the decision to return for his 11th NFL season.

The former first-round pick was forced to share another announcement that he was asking for his release, when it was made clear he would not be on the team this upcoming NFL season, unless he made the decision to take a significant pay cut.

On a recent edition of the Lions Collective NFL podcast, beat writer Justin Rogers, who recent spent several hours with Decker at his home, shared an interesting twist that could at least explain the early difficulties reaching out to general manager Brad Holmes.

“Interesting thing that was hypothesized to me by multiple members of the organization this week is that Decker might not have had the right number for Brad Holmes," said Rogers. "I will say, that is possible, because the number I had for Brad Holmes no longer works, so it adds an interesting layer."

Despite the possibility of having the wrong phone number, Holmes still let a significant period of time pass without reaching out to a player who spent a decade in Motown.

"I think, after a month, if you still haven’t heard from your GM, it still falls at least a little bit on Holmes in terms of that communication," said Rogers. "I think the situation’s kind of playing out exactly what I thought it would. I think the Lions heard it, they recognized, ‘Hey, maybe we should’ve done a better job communicating.’

"Dan said, kind of perfectly, 'I'm not gonna call him now, because it looks like I'm only calling him because of your article. I was always going to call him, I'll call him eventually.' And I think he spent a lot of time, very intentionally, praising both Decker and some of the other guys that have left this organization, what they've meant to this team."

Later in the broadcast, it was discussed that Decker was likely even more by the lack of contact from offensive line coach Hank Fraley.

Recall, Decker went to bat for Fraley and spoke highly of the former NFL lineman to Campbell, when the new regime was brought in.

It was revealed that Fraley has now reached out and cleared some things up with Decker. It was alluded to during the podcast that it was possible the free agent lineman was wondering if there was a directive by the organization not to talk to him.

Now that Fraley has reached out, Decker is feeling slightly better. Rogers indicated Decker still wants to have a relationship with the organization, including the possibility of returning at the end of his NFL career to sign a one-day contract, in order to retire ceremonially as a Detroit Lions player.

For more comprehensive Detroit Lions coverage and NFL insider analysis, follow us on X, @detroitpodcast, head on over to our Facebook page and give it a like, subscribe to the Detroit Lions On SI Lone Wolves YouTube Channel.

This article first appeared on Detroit Lions on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: