INDIANAPOLIS — According to NFL Network, the Detroit Lions intend to let go of veteran linebacker and special teams performer Jalen Reeves-Maybin prior to the start of the new league year.
At 30 years old, Reeves-Maybin served as a team captain and was considered one of the top special team players in the league. He achieved Pro Bowl status and was named a second-team All-Pro in 2023. However, Reeves-Maybin was out for seven games due to a neck injury last season.
He also prominently holds the position of president of the NFL Players Association.
Reeves-Maybin has dedicated nearly all of his eight-year career to the Lions except for one season. He was selected in the fourth round in 2017 from Tennessee. He played his initial five seasons in Detroit, one with the Houston Texans, and then the final two here again.
Reeves-Maybin returned for the last two weeks of the regular season, followed by the playoff defeat against the Washington Commanders.
The Lions face decisions regarding linebacker, with Derrick Barnes being one of their key free agents awaiting a decision. Ezekiel Turner and Ben Niemann are additional linebackers preparing to enter the open market.
Per Over The Cap, this action will generate $1.89 million in salary cap space. It was around this time last year at the scouting combine when Reeves-Maybin signed a new two-year contract to remain in Detroit.
Reeves-Maybin participated in 159 defensive plays and 210 on special teams throughout 10 games last season. The 159 snaps at linebacker were the highest he had experienced since 2021, during the inaugural year of head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes’ leadership.