Report: Jalen Reeves-Maybin signs two-year, $7.5 million extension with Detroit Lions

Former Tennessee star Jalen Reeves-Maybin has turned into an ace special teams performer for the Detroit Lions. Reeves-Maybin is now getting rewarded for his strong play.

The 29-year-old has agreed to a two-year, $7.5-million extension with the Lions, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network.

“The #Lions have agreed to a contract extension with Pro Bowl special teamer Jalen Reeves-Maybin, according to his agent @bd_mclaughlin. It’s a two-year, $7.5 million deal worth a max of $8 million that makes him the highest-paid core special-teamer ever,” Garafolo posted on Twitter.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin represented the NFC in the Pro Bowl, serving as the only special teams player from the conference at the Pro Bowl. He was also named second-team All-Pro for his play in 2023.

Reeves-Maybin was originally drafted by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He spent five seasons in Detroit, before spending the 2022 season with the Texans. He then returned to the Lions for the 2023 season and will also be in Detroit in 2024 and 2025.

During his time at Tennessee, Reeves-Maybin was a three-year starter. As a senior, he started four games, before being sidelined with a shoulder injury.

As a junior in 2015, he finished seventh in the SEC with 105 tackles.

Reeves-Maybin was ranked as a four-star recruit coming out of high school. He was an excellent linebacker and running back at Northeast High School in Clarksville, Tenn.

As a senior, he rushed for more than 2,000 yards, including over 1,000 yards across three playoff games. He was also an all-state linebacker as a junior and senior.

After arriving at Tennessee, Reeves-Maybin was an immediate contributor. He played in 11 games as a true freshman, excelling on special teams.

As a sophomore in 2014, Reeves Maybin moved into a full-time starter role. He started all 13 games for the Vols and tied for the team lead with 101 tackles. He also finished third on the team with 11 tackles for loss.

He was once again a starter in 2015, getting the nod in all 15 games. Reeves-Maybin led the Vols and finished eighth in the SEC with 14 tackles for loss.

He was a preseason All-SEC selection entering his senior year in 2016, before getting banged up early on that season. Despite having his year cut short due to a shoulder injury, he still had shown enough to be drafted in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Lions.