GOOD NEWS: Detroit Lions he is back

All-Pro special team member Reeves-Maybin and the Lions agree to a two-year extension.

By reaching a two-year extension with one of their own, pending free agents, the Detroit Lions are gaining an early advantage on the upcoming free-agency period, which begins next month. The Detroit News was informed by a league source that the team and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, a standout on special teams, have reached an agreement on a new contract.

The signing, a two-year deal with earnable incentives worth up to $8 million that includes a $2.5 million signing bonus and $5.2 million in total guarantees, was first reported by NFL Network.

Reeves-Maybin, a 2017 fourth-round draft selection by the Lions out of the University of Tennessee, has played his entire professional career with the team. He spent five years with the team before leaving briefly in 2022 to sign a big contract offer in Houston, only to return to Detroit the following year.

He had his best season in 2023, finishing tied for the league lead in special teams tackles and converting two fake punts (one in which he was a runner and the other in which he threw the ball downfield). He was selected for the Pro Bowl and named to the second team of the All-Pro team for his achievements.

Late in the season, Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said of the player, “Yeah, he does do everything for us, and more importantly to me, he takes guys aside when he needs to.” I believe I mentioned how much of a leader by example he is. He leads by example in most of what he does, but he also has a subtle way of grabbing a guy and offering him guidance or advice, ultimately taking charge of the group’s leadership. And he’s performed admirably with that. I really do believe that we are fortunate to have him.

Towards the end of the season, Reeves-Maybin not only demonstrated his abilities on special teams but also demonstrated his pass rush and coverage skills while playing in a rotational defensive role.

Reeves-Maybin was one of the Lions’ over 20 pending free agents. Josh Reynolds, a wide receiver, guards Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow, and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson lead that group. After kicker Michael Badgley, Reeves-Maybin is the second member of the Lions to re-sign in recent memory.

The Lions are anticipated to pursue contract extensions with several players who are approaching the last year of their contracts, including defensive tackle Alim McNeill, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and quarterback Jared Goff, in addition to those soon-to-be free agents.

Potential free agents can sign as early as March 13 and can begin negotiating with other teams on March 11.

Report: Special teams star signed a two-year contract worth up to $8 million with the Lions.
INDIA PHILIPS, IN Jalen Reeves: The Detroit Lions have re-signed linebacker and star member of special teams Maybin to a two-year contract that could potentially pay $8 million.

According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Reeves-Maybin is now the “highest-paid core special-teamer ever” as a result of his contract extension. According to reports, the contract includes a $2.5 million signing bonus in addition to $5.245 million in guaranteed money, both of which are records for a key special teams player.