Before free agency starts, the Detroit Lions have re-signed another of their own. According to Mike Garafalo of NFL Network, the Lions are bringing linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to a two-year, $7.5 million deal.
Garafolo added the deal is worth a max of $8 million, and includes $5.245 million guaranteed, including a $2.5 million signing bonus.
The deal makes Reeves-Maybin the highest-paid core special teamer ever.
After being drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, Reeves-Maybin spent his first five NFL seasons with the Lions. He signed a free agent deal with the Houston Texans in 2022, only to be released after one year and coming back to Detroit last offseason on a one-year, $1.75 million deal.
Reeves-Maybin earned his first career Pro Bowl selection and second team All-Pro honors as a special teamer last season. He finished tied for the league lead with 14 special teams tackles, and carried out two successful fake punts; one as a passer and one as the ball carrier.
Lions reward Jalen-Reeves Maybin for his under the radar contributions
This past season, Reeves-Maybin stepped up when called upon to take a heavier share of defensive snaps down the stretch. From Week 13 through the Divisional Round playoff game, he played 111 of his 121 total defensive snaps and played at a very high level.
"Only" 121 defensive snaps, but he was Detroit's' second-highest grade defender with an 88.6 PFF grade.
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) February 26, 2024
Only behind Aidan.
Had the team's best run defense grade (but only on 14 run defense snaps).
4th best coverage grade on team is where he really earned his defensive keep. https://t.co/IG2QJ0XSV6
Head coach Dan Campbell and special teams coach Dave Fipp both lauded Reeves-Maybin for the work he did during the 2023 season.
"He's crafty. We watch him every day in practice, in games, we watch him in one-on-ones in coverage and rush, and he's a ball guy. He finds ways to get a ball out." Campbell said. "We have a ton of faith in him."
"He does do everything for us,” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said in January. “And more importantly to me, he really – he takes guys aside when he needs to. I think I spoke about how he’s really kind of a leader by example. A lot of what he does is how he leads, but he also has a subtle way of grabbing a guy and giving him some advice or a pointer and really taking the leadership of the whole group under his hands. And he’s done a great job with that.”
General manager Brad Holmes has stated the priority in the Lions' organization to keep (and reward) their own. After coming back and having the best season of his career, Reeves-Maybin stands as a symbol of that priority. It's also an acknowledgement of the work he does below the casual fan's radar as a special teamer and a team leader.