According to Over The Cap, the Detroit Lions have approximately $57 million in cap space, and the legal tampering period for NFL Free Agency starts on March 11 at 11 a.m. Central Time.
Detroit could not wait for their elite special teams player to test free agency, and both parties have agreed to a contract extension.
The Detroit Lions signed their special teams ace to a contract extension
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Detroit signed Jalen Reeves-Maybin to a 2-year, $7.5 million deal worth a maximum of $8 million, which makes him the highest-paid core special-teamer in NFL history. He will also have a $2.5 million signing bonus and $5.245 million guaranteed.
The #Lions have agreed to a contract extension with Pro Bowl special teamer Jalen Reeves-Maybin, according to his agent @bd_mclaughlin. It’s a two-year, $7.5 million deal worth a max of $8 million that makes him the highest-paid core special-teamer ever. pic.twitter.com/4oQGDUa6ay
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 26, 2024
Reeves-Maybin reunited with Detroit last offseason
Jalen Reeves-Maybin returned to Detroit in the 2023 offseason, signing a 1-year $1,750,000 contract following his release from Houston.
Reeves-Maybin appeared in every game, recording 20 tackles, one for a loss, two QB hits, one sack, and two pass deflections. He also had six tackles, one QB hit, 0.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in the playoffs.
Reeves-Maybin led the league in special teams tackles, protected the punter during punts, and assisted in converting on fourth downs through the use of fake punts.
His performance on special teams earned him his first Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors.
Reeves-Maybin earned a ton of praise from coaches
Jalen Reeves-Maybin received a ton of praise for his play-making abilities. Head coach Dan Campbell called him a “team guy.”
“He’s a core player. He’s our captain. He’s a productive player. He’s smart. He’s a team guy and he’s versatile, and he can play defense.”
Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp praised Reeves-Maybin for being one of the best special-teamers in the league:
“It’s a credit to him, but it’s the process is, you have to become a known player and so not only is a credit to what he did this year but really to what he’s done in his seven years in this league and he’s earned notoriety and everybody out there knows who he is and on top of that he goes out there and plays really well and has a great year, so he’s able to get that. But I was distraught for these other two guys cause I think they were deserving as well, so to see him finally get that, to me was outstanding for him personally.”
Luckily for the Detroit Lions, they have their best special-teamer back for two more seasons.
For More Content:
Follow me on Twitter/X @JacksonLoschko. If you have any questions, you can message me on Linkedin. To read more of our articles and be updated on the latest in CFB/NFL, click here.
