Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin revealed his No. 1 goal as NFLPA president

Well-regarded by the Detroit Lions' coaching staff and his teammates alike, Jalen Reeves-Maybin was rewarded with a nice two-year contract extension before free agency started. On March 8, he was elected as the new president of NFL Players' Association (NFLPA).

Reeves-Maybin spoke to the media last week, talking about his new deal with the Lions and his new role as NFLPA president.

When asked about where the root of his rise to a prominent spot in the players' union started, Reeves-Maybin said it started as a rookie when he was simply encourage to attend NFLPA meetings by the Lions' player rep at time-long snapper Don Muhlbach. Then as social justice issues in society became prominent in the league early in his career, he found an more active voice as a union member.

Via Justin Rogers of the Detroit News:

"I would say that's when I kind of started to use my voice and talking about those things," Reeves-Maybin said. "...Over the years, it kind of grew to listening to speaking out more, and the previous two years I've been on the executive committee. So I've kind of seen everything at a deeper level. And watching our previous president, J.C. Tretter, see how he kind of operates and communicates with the guys. I felt like it was time for me to take the next step."

Since he was not on an NFL roster last season, Tretter transitioned off the NFLPA's leadership committee.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin talks about his new role

Via Rogers, Reeves-Maybin made it clear what his primary goal as NFLPA president is.

"I would say I just want to make sure the players stay engaged and kind of be like an amplifier for players’ voices," he said. "I always try to iterate to the guys that we are the union. We have staff members, we have executive directors, but the players are the union."

Reeves-Maybin also spoke about a couple specific union-related issues during his meeting with reporters, rather than focusing on just one as more significant than another.

Doing away with turf fields:
"I think it’s definitely a realistic thing," Reeves-Maybin said. "We see right now they’re changing all the fields for soccer to come over. Soccer players don’t play on turf. I think it’s definitely a thing that can happen. It’s proven to be a safer, healthier option. I think as time goes on, we put players health and safety to the forefront and I think the field surface that we play on plays a huge part in that.

Expansion to an 18-game regular season? (in the next collective bargaining agreement?):
"I think that people are kind of running with it right now cause it slipped out there," Reeves-Maybin said. "But I think there’s a lot of other things to gain, and when that time comes, we’ll address that."

Reeves-Maybin was elected to a two-year term as NFLPA president. His rise in the union has him thinking a little about what comes after his playing days are over, but in terms of anything concrete that time will come.

"I wouldn't say I have a real plan," Reeves-Maybin said. "I've thought about things, but I don't really have a true plan. I obviously think this is something that will help me grow as a leader, maybe my managerial skills, and we'll see how it goes from there. I'm just going with the flow right now."