The Detroit Lions are keeping a piece of their wide receiver corps, with a two-year deal for Josh Reynolds.
Ahead of free agency next week, the Detroit Lions continue to get a little bit of work done to bring guys back. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions have agreed to terms with wide receiver Josh Reynolds on a two-year deal worth up to $12 million.
Reynolds’ agent has confirmed the news.
Congrats to @J_Rey_11 on signing a two year extension with the Detroit Lions. pic.twitter.com/7FyFmLC4kM
— Apex Sports Group (@ApexSportsGroup) March 8, 2022
After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Rams, Reynolds signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans last offseason. Then his prospective role changed when the Titans traded for Julio Jones, and he barely played before being waived in the middle of the season.
Based on his history with Jared Goff, Reynolds looked like a nice fit for the Lions leading up to the trade deadline and certainly when he was waived. The Lions easily put in a claim, and with high priority they got him.
The Lions lean toward familiarity to keep Josh Reynolds in the fold
Beyond Reynolds playing with Goff on the Rams for four years, Lions’ general manager Brad Holmes was the Rams’ director of college scouting for several years–including when Reynolds was drafted in the third round out of Texas A&M in 2017. So that further fortified the fit, and Reynolds made an impact upon arriving in Detroit.
In seven games for the Lions last season, Reynolds averaged 16.1 yards per catch with two touchdowns. Not coincidentally, Goff posted a 107.1 passer rating over his final five starts of the season with Reynolds as a downfield threat he had history with and could trust.
The idea the Lions should prioritize re-signing Reynolds was put out there. Based on the move to get it done before free agency even starts, he was indeed a priority. And bringing him back will not prevent a bigger move to sign a wide receiver.