In the NFL, loyalty meets the salary cap every offseason. For the Detroit Lions, keeping a Super Bowl-caliber core intact may require painful goodbyes — and in 2026, several familiar names could find themselves on the wrong side of the numbers.
Roster building in today’s NFL often comes down to hard decisions. For the Detroit Lions, a talented core and looming extensions mean cap flexibility matters. Here’s a look at five players who could become cap casualties in 2026, and what the financial and on-field impact would be.
Taylor Decker (OT)
Decker carries one of the largest cap numbers on the roster in 2026 at roughly $21 million. A pre-June 1 release would save about $11.6 million, though it would leave behind approximately $9.4 million in dead cap. A post-June 1 designation could increase savings into the $17–18 million range, depending on structure.
The likelihood of such a move remains low. Decker has been a foundational piece of Detroit’s offensive line for years and remains a respected veteran presence. However, at 32, with retirement discussions surfacing and a slight dip in performance last season, the Lions could at least evaluate the financial benefit. If Detroit prioritizes younger, cheaper options or extensions for emerging players, moving on would create significant flexibility — though it would be a difficult and symbolic decision.
Graham Glasgow (IOL/C)
Glasgow enters 2026 with a cap hit of approximately $8.4 million. Cutting him would free about $5.6 million while absorbing roughly $2.9 million in dead cap — a manageable figure by NFL standards.
Among potential cap casualties, Glasgow appears the most realistic candidate. He is entering the final year of his deal, and Detroit has interior flexibility. The Lions could shift younger linemen into larger roles or restructure elsewhere to offset his departure. Glasgow remained steady last season, but injuries and age have limited his consistency. From a pure cost-benefit standpoint, his contract is easier to move than others on this list.
David Montgomery (RB)
Montgomery’s 2026 cap hit sits near $8.37 million, including base salary and prorated bonuses. A pre-June 1 cut would create about $3.5 million in savings while leaving approximately $4.86 million in dead money.
The odds of this move are considered low to moderate. Montgomery remains a productive power back and locker-room favorite, but his workload dipped last season as Jahmyr Gibbs expanded his role. Montgomery still delivered efficient production in short-yardage and red-zone situations, yet running back remains one of the more replaceable positions financially. If Detroit believes it can find a cheaper RB2 option behind Gibbs, modest savings without crippling dead cap could tempt the front office.
Brock Wright (TE)
Wright profiles as a depth piece behind Sam LaPorta. A post-June 1 release could save approximately $3.7 million, making him a low-impact but practical trimming option.
Last season, Wright contributed in limited receiving opportunities while maintaining his role as a blocker and special teams contributor. However, in a tight cap situation, depth tight ends are often expendable. Detroit could replace his production with a younger, lower-cost option without dramatically affecting offensive structure.
Colby Sorsdal (OL)
Sorsdal represents the type of roster-depth player often evaluated during final cap adjustments. His cap hit is modest, generally under $2–3 million on a rookie-scale deal. Cutting him would free a small but clean amount of space with minimal dead money.
While Sorsdal provided rotational snaps and depth last season, offensive line depth is frequently reshuffled in training camp. If the Lions draft or develop younger interior options, moving on from a fringe backup could create savings and roster flexibility.
Ultimately, cap casualties are rarely about performance alone. They reflect timing, age curves and financial priorities. Detroit’s core remains intact, but with large extensions and competitive expectations ahead, even respected veterans may find themselves part of difficult conversations.