Josh Reynolds has spent nearly his entire career as a Jared Goff target, with only a brief Titans tenure interrupting a seven-year run as such. But the quarterback and wide receiver are going their separate ways, with the Broncos signing Reynolds earlier this week.
The Lions viewed Reynolds as a player they wanted back, per GM Brad Holmes, who called re-signing the eighth-year veteran the team’s “Plan A” at the position. But the Broncos came in with a two-year deal that KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes checks in at $9MM in base value. Reynolds’ Denver contract can max out at $14MM, though only $4.25MM is guaranteed, providing the Broncos some flexibility in 2025.
[RELATED: Lions Aimed To Keep G Jonah Jackson]
Although the Lions sought another agreement with Reynolds, the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett indicates the team offered the former Rams draftee a below-market contract. The team made that offer at the start of free agency and maintained minimal contact with him in the days that followed. This preceded the Broncos’ second-wave signing, with Reynolds set to join a receiving corps that lost Jerry Jeudy via trade.
It appears the team’s interest included a low price point, with Birkett adding this offer came about because it is expected Reynolds would have been the Lions’ No. 3 wideout in 2024. This points to a bigger role for Jameson Williams, who has seen his January 2022 knee injury and subsequent gambling suspension lead to a slow start. But the 2022 first-rounder flashed at points last season, showing tremendous speed through the air and on the ground.
Williams finished with only 354 receiving yards last season, which began in October due to what turned out to be a five-game gambling ban (after an NFL rule changed shortened it). The Lions already have Amon-Ra St. Brown on the extension radar. With Goff likely set for a big raise this offseason as well, Detroit’s roster complexion changes. That will lead Reynolds, who totaled 608 yards and five touchdown catches, to Colorado, on a slight raise. He played out a two-year, $6MM Lions deal last season.
The Broncos ditched Jeudy’s $12.99MM fifth-year option salary, via trade with the Browns, but still have Courtland Sutton tied to a $13MM 2024 base; the team guaranteed $2MM of that total earlier this month. Unless a Sutton trade happens despite that guarantee vesting, Reynolds will join Tim Patrick and Marvin Mims as complementary Broncos targets. The 6-foot-3 receiver has played an auxiliary role throughout his career, most recently helping a Lions team that had Williams struggle to stay on the field.
I don’t know if Reynolds necessarily elevates a receiving corps, but he is experienced and is mostly reliable. Denver could have this production in a rookie pick this year, but I suppose that they’ll use that selection for another position. This is a good year for wideouts, though, so Detroit should be in good position to take another if they choose. If Williams doesn’t advance to the level that they expect, and they get a good rookie this year, it should give them flexibility in a few years if they decide to move on. St. Brown is still young, however, so having he and Williams together probably points to the Lions finding another veteran to fill Reynolds’ spot.
Reynolds’ connection with Goff was also pretty valuable in that third WR role, so I’d believe Holmes that he wanted Reynolds back. I don’t necessarily blame Denver for signing him, but I think I would have rather seen them pick another receiver than to make that signing. I think a rookie receiver fits the Broncos better with their two starters than it does the Lions, in their respective situations, but Detroit is the one who now need a replacement.
S*** happens! That’s how I’ll remember Reynolds. If he didn’t choke and drop 2 passes in the NFC championship game the Lions would have been in the Super Bowl. Why would they even think of bringing him back. Time to move on. Good riddance.
Not a big loss. His 40 receptions a season aren’t worth $7 mil a year.