NFL’s “best special teams player,” a foundational piece, is retained by the Lions with great joy.
INDIA PARK, INDIA — After his first season as head coach, Dan Campbell watched Jalen Reeves-Maybin sign a free agent contract and leave the Detroit Lions for the Houston Texans.
It’s also evident how crucial Reeves-Maybin’sre-signingwas to the regime this time around after speaking with Campbell at the league’s scouting combine on Tuesday morning.
Following their agreement to an extension, Reeves-Maybin and the Lions are supposedly paying the linebacker the highest salary of any core special teams player in the NFL. Reeves-Maybin has a two-year contract worth up to $8 million, with $5.245 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network.
And in 2023, that money was earned. The 29-year-old led the league in special teams tackles (13), was selected as the team’s captain, and was a first-time Pro Bowler. Late in the season, he also contributed to Detroit’s passing downs and third downs, which increased his value to the team’s developing defense.
In Indianapolis, Campbell declared, “I think it’s huge.” “JRM is the league’s best special teams player and one of those guys who was a key member of our team. to be able to reunite with him. He was a visitor in the year 2021. After that, he was a free agent, went to Houston, and was able to return the following year. Given his output,
all that he as a key player could offer us.
However, there are certain defensive things he can do to help us. plays on the dime. able to cover, rush, and assist in third down. It was significant, though, to be able to get him to resign. He is essential to our work. I think he is a part of the foundation.
With so many talented linebackers on the team, Reeves-Maybin doesn’t have an easy route to regular playing time. However, as an additional component in that multiple room behind Derrick Barnes, Alex Anzalone, and 2022 first-round pick Jack Campbell, it’s difficult to overlook the depth he offers.
However, his defensive efforts in the closing minutes make him a unique player to keep an eye on. In the regular season, Reeves-Maybin only logged 92 defensive snaps. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to keep in mind that he played in eight of the team’s previous nine games with double-digit defensive reps, so that’s not insignificant. The fact that he is a seasoned professional who is acquainted with the team and plan doesn’t hurt to have him in that still-young locker room.
Furthermore, Reeves-Maybin was ranked as Detroit’s second-highest graded defender by Pro Football Focus during the regular season and postseason, excluding snap limitations.
When asked why it was so important to keep someone on board who was essentially an outsider looking in on the Lions, Campbell responded in the negative. As a returning captain, the head coach reiterated his belief in Reeves-Maybin and the linebacker’s importance to this team.
Additionally, Campbell stated that he and general manager Brad Holmes firmly believe in stacking depth because they understand that injuries occur in the NFL and that it is a fact of life. But that’s not all; Campbell emphasizes that the culture and fit are still crucial, saying, “They’ve got to beGuys who do so fit a specific role.
Since he is a depth player, I believe it to be very significant. However, he starts for one of our main squads, according to Campbell. “He’s the best player in the league in one of the three units that we use to win games. We play in three phases. We play with more than just two units. It was essential.
“And it goes without saying that he offers a lot of depth. Because you know you can go outside and you won’t really miss a beat if you need him, that’s why it matters to me and to us. He is intelligent. He is corporeal. He is resilient. He is corporeal. He is cunning. He is a fun guy.
In the NFC, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers have developed a storied rivalry.
The two teams, who are division rivals in the NFC North, have engaged in many fierce football games. However, the Lions have won the rivalry in recent years.
The Lions have faced the Packers six times and are 4-2 since Dan Campbell became head coach. In 2023, the two teams drew their meetings, with both winning away from home. They both made it to the postseason and emerged victorious in at least one game.
The Lions were defeated in the NFC Championship game, and Green Bay was eliminated in the Divisional Round.
The Lions will be the team to beat the following season after winning the Division title in 2023 for the first time in thirty years.
But general manager Brian Gutekunst made a joke about the Lions’ decision to display a banner honoring their 2023 Division title during his media availability at the NFL Combine.
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Gutekunst stated, “Around here, we’ve never hung banners for division championships, so it’s never been about that.” “I think we’re always looking for better things, but it’s a nice starting point.”
The Packers have just finished an NFC North winning streak. Green Bay had won 12 of the 20 division titles between 2002 and 2021. The Lions, on the other hand, have made a strong claim to eventually owning the division.
Given the abundance of young talent on each roster and their current season’s results, both teams have bright futures.
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