Lions lose linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to the Houston Texans
The Detroit Lions have their first notable loss of 2022 free agency, as linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin is headed to the Houston Texans.
At the outset of free agency, the Detroit Lions have placed priority on re-signings. But they’ve now lost someone, with NFL insider Jordan Schultz reporting linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin has signed a two-year deal, $7.5 million deal with the Houston Texans. The deal has $5 million fully guaranteed at signing, and is worth up to $9 million.
Reeves-Maybin was a key special teamer for the Lions upon arriving as a fourth-round pick in 2017. But last season the new coaching regime gave him a bigger role defensively, as he started 11 of the 15 games he played and finished with a career-best 82 total tackles and four tackles for loss along with four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
The Lions coaching staff spoke well of Reeves-Maybin, and before the season ended he appeared to be a high priority to bring back as he entered free agency.
“He will have his chance to be our starting inside linebacker,” Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn promised. “He’s had a great year. Still has a ways to go, but we’re excited about that player.” “Obviously, we want the player back,” Glenn stated. “because he’s a good player.”
The Lions seemed to draw a financial line with Jalen Reeves-Maybin
The Lions quickly re-signed linebacker Alex Anzalone, which showed how much they placed priority on having him back even on only a one-year deal. That Reeves-Maybin lingered without a new deal from Detroit reflected a potential difference in what they were willing to do and what Reeves-Maybin wanted, in years and money, so his agent pursued other options.
In December, Reeves-Maybin referenced coming back to the Lions “as long as the math is mathing.” The numbers exchanged between the two sides (assuming there were serious talks) clearly didn’t add up, so he’s now a Houston Texan and the Lions have some clear depth concerns at linebacker.
Next. The Detroit Lions should absolutely avoid Baker Mayfield. dark
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