The Lions are set to part ways with veteran linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
The Detroit Lions' list of potential cut candidates for this year is not long, but they are lined up to make one as the new league year approaches. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Lions plan to release linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin when the new league year starts.
Reeves-Maybin spent the first five seasons of his career with the Lions after being drafted by them in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. He signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent in 2022, then after just one year with them he came back to the Lions as a free agent in 2023.
Reeves-Maybin had the best season of his career in 2023, earning a Pro Bowl nod and a Second Team All-Pro selection for his exemplary work on special teams (a tied for league-high 14 special teams tackles, two successful fake punts; one as the ball carrier and one as a passer). When called upon to play defensive snaps for the Lions that year he was also very good, and he was rewarded with a two-year, $7.5 million contract last offseason. He was also named a team captain before the 2024 season.
Last season, a neck injury cost Reeves-Maybin seven games and the NFL's new kickoff rule helped minimize (or practically negate) his contributions on special teams beyond sheer snaps (210). His work defensively, over 159 snaps there, was also not as good as the year before.
Lions to release linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Reeves-Maybin had a $4.645 million cap hit for this year. They will clear $1.895 million in cap space and take on $2.75 million in dead money by cutting him, with no difference in a pre or post-June 1 cut designation (according to Over The Cap). He is due to collect a $500,000 roster bonus on March 17.
So the Lions really aren't gaining much cap space by cutting Reeves-Maybin, and while any dead money isn't ideal that isn't all that noticeable either. This moves seems to be about opening up a roster spot, a little bit of money and/or an opportunity for someone else.
At a glance, or more than a glance, the Lions look thin at linebacker right now. Beyond Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez suffered a torn ACL on Thanksgiving Day. Derrick Barnes, Trevor Nowaske (ERFA), Anthony Pittman (RFA), Ben Niemann, Ezekiel Turner and Kwon Alexander are all free agents on some level. DaRon Gilbert and Abraham Beauplan are under contract, but both have not played much.
