As things currently stand in the buildup to training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers roster looks pretty darn good top to bottom.
There aren’t many true holes to be worried about entering camp in Latrobe.
However, that hasn’t stopped some from pitching potential free agent fits for the Steelers like veteran linebacker and future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner, or big-name wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
The Steelers likely won’t do that. But for former Steelers quarterback and current radio analyst Charlie Batch, who co-hosted the latest episode of The Snap Count podcast with Trai Essex, there is one name the Steelers should consider in free agency.
That would be former Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker.
“As we speak right now, the answer’s no because I don’t think there’s any room for them [free agents] the way that the roster was built out. Now if injuries occur, sure, then you’re gonna now start kicking the cans. But again, what is that price tag for those veterans sitting out? ‘Cause a lot of them don’t want to play for the minimum,” Batch said, according to video via the show’s YouTube page. “If that was the case, I’m sure they would’ve been on a roster somewhere else at this particular point, which is unfortunate because as a veteran you now have to wait and watch training camp and preseason games hoping that somebody gets injured for you to now be able to be available on a team. So that’s the unknown.
“But if injuries were to occur, I think the first name that I would think about would be Taylor Decker,” Batch added. “You gotta make sure offensive lineman, you always need a veteran that’s gonna be able to do that.”
Decker has played 140 career games in the NFL, spending the first 10 years of his career with the Detroit Lions. Last season, Decker played and started in 14 games, but after the season, the Lions released him and ended a decade-long run due to some injury issues.
During the 2025 season, Decker played 894 snaps, grading out at a 67.9 overall from Pro Football Focus. He allowed 33 pressures, gave up two sacks and was called for five penalties. The 67.9 overall grade was the lowest grade he’s had since his second season in the NFL in 2016.
In his career, Decker has played nearly 10,000 snaps. He was one of the most consistent tackles in football, but he flew under the radar with just one Pro Bowl nod in his career coming in 2024.
The lengthy injury history is a concern, but he showed he can still play at a serviceable level.
For the Steelers, he doesn’t make much sense right now. He’s never played right tackle, and the Steelers are set on the left side with Troy Fautanu. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have depth, and the uncertainty surrounding Broderick Jones’ health could open a path to add a veteran like Decker.
But at 32 years old and coming off a decade-long run as a starter, it’s doubtful Decker would want to sign somewhere to be a backup. So, as Batch points out, he’s a name to monitor in case an injury occurs.