Josh Reynolds has spent virtually his entire career as a Jared Goff target, with only a brief stint with the Titans disrupting his seven-year run. However, the quarterback and wide receiver are parting ways, as the Broncos signed Reynolds earlier this week.
According to GM Brad Holmes, the Lions viewed Reynolds as a guy they wanted back, and re-signing the eighth-year veteran was the team’s “plan A” at the position. However, the Broncos offered a two-year contract worth $9 million, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Reynolds’ Denver contract has a maximum value of $14 million, but only $4.25 million is guaranteed, giving the Broncos some flexibility in 2025.
Although the Lions attempted to reach another agreement with Reynolds, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that the organization offered the former Rams draftee a contract that was below market value. The organization extended that offer at the start of free agency and had little touch with him in the days that followed. This came before the Broncos’ second-wave signing, with Reynolds slated to join a receiving corps that had lost Jerry Jeudy in a trade.
The team’s interest appears to have included a low price point, with Birkett stating that the deal came about since Reynolds is anticipated to be the Lions’ No. 3 wideout in 2024. This suggests a larger role for Jameson Williams, who has struggled since sustaining a knee injury in January 2022 and being suspended for gambling. However, the 2022 first-round pick flashed at times last season, with incredible speed in the air and on the ground.
Williams finished with 354 receiving yards last season, which began in October due to a five-game gambling ban (reduced by an NFL rule amendment). The Lions are already considering extending Amon-Ra St. Brown’s contract. With Goff certain to receive a significant raise this offseason, Detroit’s roster composition alters. This will send Reynolds, who had 608 yards and five touchdown receptions, to Colorado on a small increase. Last season, he completed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Lions.
The Broncos traded Jeudy’s $12.99MM fifth-year option salary to the Browns, but Courtland Sutton still owed a $13MM base salary in 2024; the organization guaranteed $2MM of that number earlier this month. Unless a Sutton deal occurs despite the guarantee vesting, Reynolds will join Tim Patrick and Marvin Mims as complementary Broncos prospects. The 6-foot-3 receiver has played a supporting role throughout his career, most recently assisting a Lions team that struggled to keep Williams on the field.
