CHICAGO - The money was enticing, no doubt.

But Eric Decker, the Big Ten’s leading receiver with 84 catches last year, said his decision to turn down the chance to play professional baseball was actually quite simple.

Look around, Decker said. Something special is going on with Minnesota football.

“Football is where I want to be,” said Decker, a left-hand hitting outfielder drafted in the 39th round by the Milwaukee Brewers last year and the 27th round by the Minnesota Twins this year. “I was excited and blessed to have the opportunity to play baseball, but right now football’s my focus.”

Unlikely as it is, Decker still could sign with the Twins before Major League Baseball’s Aug. 15 deadline. Regardless, his feelings about Minnesota football being a program on the rise won’t change.

The Gophers are slated to open their new on-campus TCF Bank Stadium this fall, a $288-million open-air facility complete with plush locker rooms and luxury boxes.

On the field, Minnesota returns 18 starters from last year’s Insight Bowl team, including Decker, quarterback Adam Weber and the entire offensive line.

“I think that there’s really a real vibe, a real buzz around the country about Gopher football, and that’s exciting,” Minnesota coach Tim Brewster said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been on that top shelf as far as conversation goes about college football, and that’s where we want to be. We want to be on that top shelf. We want to be an elite team in college football, and I think we can be.”

Decker is reason to believe Brewster’s not just shilling the company line.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder has been one of the most productive receivers in the country the last two years. His 177 career receptions are two short of Minnesota’s career record, and he’s surrounded by the best supporting cast of his career.

Hayo Carpenter, the nation’s top-rated junior-college receiver, should flank Decker in a pass-catching corps that also includes sophomore Brandon Green. Running back Duane Bennett appears healthy after a knee injury cost him most of last year. And Notre Dame transfer Matt Carufel adds depth on the line.

Still, there are questions.

Brewster brought in new coordinators in former Denver Broncos assistant Jedd Fisch to run the offense and Kevin Cosgrove to co-chair the defense (along with the promoted Ronnie Lee). Fisch has scrapped some of Minnesota’s spread principles and will employ a more pro-style offense.

Minnesota also finished last year on a five-game losing streak and hasn’t beat a conference team with a winning record since Michigan in 2005.

For those reasons, Brewster said this season is essential to maintaining the buzz about his program.

“The bottom line is, we all understand, you’ve got to win football games,” Brewster said. “And I think that we’ve got the type of football team that’s poised to have a good season and continue with the progress that we made last year.”