The Detroit Lions locked up left tackle Taylor Decker on Tuesday, agreeing to a contract extension that will keep Decker in Detroit through at least the 2024 season.
More details are emerging about the deal. Initially reported — by Decker’s representation — as a six-year, $85 million extension with $37.5 million fully guaranteed, it’s more of a four-year deal on top of the final year of Decker’s existing contract with a voidable year at the end for salary cap purposes.
Decker was due $10.35 million on the fifth-year option from his initial rookie contract as the No. 16 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The new deal rolls that figure into the extension while also lowering Decker’s cap obligation for 2020 to just $8.35 million, per Spotrac.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com provided more specifics on Decker’s new deal, including a breakdown of the full guaranteed figures for each of the next four years.
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1300929578773499911?s=20
Decker’s annual average salary of $15 million ranks seventh among offensive tackles. The $42.4 total guaranteed ranks fourth, behind Lane Johnson, Taylor Lewan and Laremy Tunsil, again per Spotrac. His total contract value is the 10th-highest for offensive tackles.
By way of comparison, the Lions signed right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai for five years and $45 million, which ranks 18th overall in total contract value for OTs. The Lions are also paying Rick Wagner, the man Vaitai replaced, $5.8 million in cap room to not play for the team in 2020.