Taylor Decker has found that there are carry-over effects from the Detroit Lions' extended season that ended with them one game short of making it to the Super Bowl.
"We're going to be here and we're going to work together and get this thing rolling. It's always good to be back," Decker said this week as he prepares for his ninth season as the Lions' starting left tackle. "We go away in the offseason and we do our own thing. These are the guys we go to battle with.
"It's always good to see your friends again."
The Lions began their official offseason workout program this week.
If it seemed to start earlier than usual, that's only because the Lions played longer last season. They played 20 games – 17 in the regular season and three in the playoffs.
A loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship kept the Lions one game from making it to the Super Bowl. The 49ers rallied from a 24-7 deficit to win.
"It was a disappointment for us, but I I don't think that's going to change our mindset or how we feel about ourselves that we came up short," Decker said. "We have bigger goals ahead of us."
View photos from offseason workouts on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Netane Muti during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (98) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Marcus Davenport during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (15) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (28) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (98) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 15, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jared Goff/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on April 16, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The Lions are making a key change on an offensive line that is considered one of the NFL's best.
Left guard Jonah Jackson departed via free agency. Graham Glasgow, who was re-signed this offseason, is slated to move from right guard to left guard. Kevin Zeitler, a proven 12-year starter, was signed to play right guard.
Decker considers Zeitler an 'old-school' type of player.
"He's going to be a great addition," Decker said. "He loves football."
