After frustrating offseason, Lions' Manu leans into effort, attitude with newest opportunity
Allen Park — The first hint that Taylor Decker was leaning toward retirement late last season didn’t come from the veteran offensive tackle, but his young understudy, Giovanni Manu.
In a casual conversation discussing his offseason plans after his 2025 campaign was prematurely ended by knee surgery, Manu spoke determinedly about taking over Detroit’s blindside job if the veteran stepped aside.
None of that went according to plan. Decker didn’t retire, but he departed the organization, nonetheless, requesting his release when the team asked him to take a pay cut. But instead of turning the keys over to Manu, the Lions double-dipped on additions, signing veteran Larry Borom before using a first-round pick on Blake Miller.
Had the Lions only added Borom, with his one-year contract, it would have signaled the Lions still believed Manu could be the long-term answer. The drafting of Miller a month later declared the team was pivoting.