When things were going off the rails for him with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 and he was granted his release, Josh Reynolds was an ideal fit for the Detroit Lions. He had history with Jared Goff, and the Lions surely needed to inject talent into the wide receiver depth chart.
Reynolds averaged 16.1 yards per catch over the rest of that season for the Lions, and he was signed to a two-year deal. He was a solid piece of the offense in 2022, and he followed with 608 yards in 2023.
One rough game does not write erase what Reynolds has done in his time with the Lions thus far. But his two critical drops in the NFC Championship Game loss to the 49ers are the last thing that happened, so that lingers for Lions' fans as he now heads into free agency.
Reynolds is a clear culture fit with the Lions, and we know how much that matters to Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell. But he would be right to see what else might be out there on the market, and as Morgan Cannon of Pride of Detroit suggested it'd be hard to blame him if he can get a more lucrative deal from another team. Not to mention the possibility of a larger role on another team, commensurate with the prospect of that better pay day.
Reynolds might find more money and a bigger role elsewhere. That's the bottom line, and here are some teams who could be a nice fit for him on those fronts if re-signing with the Lions does not happen.
4 teams who could offer Josh Reynolds what the Lions probably can't
4. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts will surely do everything they can to retain free agent wide receiver Michael Pittman and sign him to a long-term deal. But other than Josh Downs and whatever potential Alec Pierce might still have, they sorely lack passing game weapons for quarterback Anthony Richardson. They have the cap space to do whatever they need/want to on that front.
Bleacher Report has pointed to Reynolds as a potential fit to fill that need for depth and a downfield depth threat.
"A veteran wide receiver like DJ Chark Jr. or Josh Reynolds who could be a big deep threat would go great with Richardson and the current receiving corps."
Reynolds would be an ideal reliable veteran wide receiver for a team like the Colts. From his end of things, they can offer a notable role and a good contract that would reflect his expected role.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Odell Beckham Jr. had fleeting moments last season for the Ravens, but overall he was a disappointment and it seems unlikely they'll make a real effort to keep him. They surely won't pay him what they did last offseason ($15 million), which stands to push him toward signing elsewhere.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report pointed to Reynolds as an overlooked free agent who could be a difference maker on the right team, with a punch line as it relates to the Ravens.
"Reynolds could serve as a cost-effective replacement for Odell Beckham Jr. in Baltimore."
With size (6-foot-3), downfield ability (15.2 yards per catch) and as a reliable chain mover (57 of 68 catches for first downs over the last two seasons), not to mention at a bargain rate, Baltimore should have interest in Reynolds.
The Ravens don't have a lot of cap space right now, but work will surely be done to clear some before free agency starts. That said, if Reynolds signed with Baltimore it would be with more of any eye on a Super Bowl ring than getting the biggest contract he can.
2. Washington Commanders
In terms of cap space, the Commanders are in a great position. They could probably also use a savvy veteran No. 3 receiver like Reynolds, for whoever their quarterback will be moving forward. If Curtis Samuel goes elsewhere in free agency, and he may be able to find a bigger role and/or a better contract himself somewhere else, that will be 91 vacated targets from last season for Washington.
If it's money Reynolds prioritizes in free agency, and again no one would begrudge that at the stage of his career he is, Washington can give him something noticeable there. If they want to, they could go up to or over his projected market value ($7 million per year, via Spotrac). And getting down to it, leaving aside his history with Goff, his role could be very similar to what he had with the Lions.
1. Buffalo Bills
The Bills are in win-now mode, and they also have some cap trouble to fix heading toward free agency. No. 2 wide receiver Gabe Davis may get a nice pay day in free agency, and the odds seem to favor him leaving at this point. Stefon Diggs, assuming he's not traded, will need a suitable running mate.
Khalil Shakir is an interesting young receiver, and the Bills have a fine tight end duo in Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. Giving Josh Allen as many weapons as possible has to be an ongoing priority though, and if Davis is gone there will be a notable void to fill.
A veteran receiver like Reynolds, who can stretch the field, willingly blocks in the run game and seems to easily earn the trust of his quarterback, is a ideal player for the Bills. They won't necessarily be able to compete financially if there are bigger offers out there, but they can offer as good a chance as any team at winning a Super Bowl and Reynolds will probably have that idea on his radar.