Ex-Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds signs a $14 million contract with the Denver Broncos.
A preferred target for Jared Goff will be switching quarterbacks next season.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds has inked a two-year free agent contract with the Denver Broncos, valued at potentially $14 million.
Reynolds, who recorded 608 yards and five touchdowns on 40 catches last season, ranked as the Lions’ third-leading receiver. He previously played alongside Goff during his tenure with the Los Angeles Rams from 2017 to 2020 before joining the Lions midway through the 2021 season as a waiver claim from the Tennessee Titans.
The Lions had a keen interest in retaining Reynolds for the 2024 season, with general manager Brad Holmes emphasizing on Tuesday that Reynolds was their primary target among receivers in free agency. However, they were hesitant to invest heavily in a player who would likely have started the next season as their third-choice receiver.
At the onset of free agency, they made a contract offer below the market value and had minimal communication with Reynolds’ representatives in recent weeks.
The Lions are bringing back their leading receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and anticipate Jameson Williams taking on a more prominent role in the offense in his third season. Additionally, tight end Sam LaPorta, who ranked second on the team with 86 catches and 889 yards last season, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, both return after impressive rookie campaigns.
Despite Reynolds’ notable contributions, totaling 97 receptions for 1,393 yards and 10 touchdowns in 38 games with the Lions, his performance in the NFC championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers in January, where he had two crucial drops, seemed to influence the Lions’ decision.
With the NFL’s second-ranked passing offense in 2023, the Lions are still in search of both a veteran and rookie receiver to bolster their unit, which already includes Kalif Raymond (35 catches, 489 yards) and Antoine Green (one catch, 2 yards).
