Going into Sunday's regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds had a couple incentive bonuses in viable play. A touchdown would give him six for the season, and a $250,00 bonus. With 36 yards, he would reach 600 yards for the season and get another $250,000.
Entering the Lions' final drive of the game, Reynolds had one catch for 18 yards. It certainly became a situation to take a few knees and call it a day. But here's a look at the play-by-play of what happened.
1st & 10 at MIN 39
(2:08 - 4th) J.Goff pass short right to J.Reynolds to MIN 30 for 9 yards (I.Pace).
2nd & 1 at MIN 30
(2:00 - 4th) Two-Minute Warning
2nd & 1 at MIN 30
(2:00 - 4th) (Shotgun) D.Skipper reported in as eligible. J.Goff pass short left to J.Reynolds to MIN 22 for 8 yards (J.Ward).
1st & 10 at MIN 22
(1:23 - 4th) (Shotgun) J.Goff pass short right to J.Reynolds to MIN 20 for 2 yards (C.Bynum; I.Pace).
2nd & 8 at MIN 20
(0:34 - 4th) (Shotgun) J.Goff pass short left to J.Reynolds to MIN 13 for 7 yards (C.Bynum).
(0:00 - 4th) END GAME
Four straight passes to Reynolds, and three after the two-minute warning. The second one after the the two-minute stoppage got it done, putting him at 37 yards for the game. But in-game it can be hard for everyone to exactly know that on the sideline, so one more pass to Reynolds came for good measure and to leave no doubt.
The Lions wanted to make sure Josh Reynolds got one of his incentives
Touchdowns are inherently random, and lest the Lions do something out of character a touchdown to Reynolds late in the fourth quarter on on Sunday was not viable. But getting him enough catches to get the yardage he needed was viable.
After the game, via Justin Rogers of the Detroit News, head coach Dan Campbell talked about making sure Reynolds got that $250,000 bonus.
"That player does all the dirty work he does for us, all the stuff in the run game, all the blocking, all the unselfish play, then we're going to do whatever it takes to get him something," Lions coach Dan Campbell said. "That's the mindset. That's all."
Campbell is the dictionary definition of a player's coach, having been a player himself (and not a star). He especially appreciates guys like Reynolds. He's the kind of coach who would find out who had contract incentives to possibly get in a regular season finale, and what they needed to get them. The special effort to get Reynolds the yards he needed in the final couple minutes of Sunday's game is not surprising.