Ahead of the commencement of free agency, the Detroit Lions have made the decision to re-sign one of their own players. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafalo, the Lions have reached a two-year agreement worth $7.5 million with linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
Garafalo further noted that the deal has a maximum value of $8 million, with $5.245 million guaranteed, including a $2.5 million signing bonus.
This contract establishes Reeves-Maybin as the highest-paid core special teamer in NFL history.
Reeves-Maybin, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, has spent his entire professional career with the Lions, spanning five seasons. After signing with the Houston Texans as a free agent in 2022, he was released after just one year and subsequently returned to Detroit on a one-year, $1.75 million deal last offseason.
During the previous season, Reeves-Maybin made significant strides in his career, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and being named to the second team All-Pro as a special teamer. He tied for the league lead with 14 special teams tackles and successfully executed two fake punts, one as a passer and one as the ball carrier.
Lions reward Jalen-Reeves Maybin for his under the radar contributions
During the most recent season, Jalen Reeves-Maybin demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion when entrusted with an increased workload on the defensive side. Particularly from Week 13 through the Divisional Round playoff game, Reeves-Maybin saw a substantial increase in his defensive snaps, playing 111 out of his total 121 snaps, and delivering impressive performances throughout.
The efforts of Reeves-Maybin did not go unnoticed, as head coach Dan Campbell and special teams coach Dave Fipp both expressed their admiration for his contributions during the 2023 season.
“He’s crafty. We watch him every day in practice, in games, we watch him in one-on-ones in coverage and rush, and he’s a ball guy. He finds ways to get a ball out.” Campbell said. “We have a ton of faith in him.”
“He does do everything for us,” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said in January. “And more importantly to me, he really – he takes guys aside when he needs to. I think I spoke about how he’s really kind of a leader by example. A lot of what he does is how he leads, but he also has a subtle way of grabbing a guy and giving him some advice or a pointer and really taking the leadership of the whole group under his hands. And he’s done a great job with that.”
General manager Brad Holmes has emphasized the organization’s commitment to retaining and rewarding their own players as a top priority. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who returned to the Lions and had a standout season, serves as a testament to this principle. The decision to extend his contract reflects the team’s recognition of both his exceptional on-field performance and his invaluable contributions as a special teamer and team leader, often going unnoticed by casual fans.
