DETROIT - The NFL announced Tuesday that the Detroit Lions will play a game in Munich, Germany, during the 2026 season, and it appears they will be joined by veteran left tackle Taylor Decker. Decker confirmed on social media that he plans to return to the team for an 11th season, ending speculation about a possible retirement.
The Lions now head into 2026 with their entire starting offensive line under contract.
On Tuesday afternoon, Decker confirmed his intention to play in 2026 by sharing an Instagram post with a “year 11” hashtag. The announcement follows a 2025 season where the offensive lineman appeared in 14 games while playing through a shoulder injury. Decker later admitted he was considering retirement at the end of the season before making his final decision.
Since being selected by the Lions in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Decker has been a consistent presence on the team’s offensive line. He has started all 145 games he has played for the franchise over the last decade. The veteran tackle has spent his entire professional career in Detroit.
Decker is scheduled to account for a $21 million salary cap hit during the 2026 season. While the figure is significant, his annual average salary currently ranks outside the top 10 for left tackles across the league. His return ensures that the Lions will have all of their starting offensive linemen under contract for the 2026 season.
The NFL’s announcement regarding the game in Munich marks the first time the Lions have been scheduled to play a regular-season game in Germany. The league has not yet announced an opponent or a specific date for the international fixture. The game is part of the NFL’s ongoing efforts to expand its regular-season schedule to international markets.