The four-year deal with the Giants deal is worth up to $76 million, with $40 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports.
A third-round draft pick out of Northern Illinois in 2017, Golladay wasted little time making an impact, catching two touchdowns in his debut with the Lions. A hamstring injury would end up slowing his momentum that year and he finished his rookie campaign with 28 catches for 477 yards and three scores.
By his second season, Golladay emerged as Detroit’s go-to option in the passing game. Over the next two years, he would haul in 135 passes, topping 1,000 yards both seasons, while leading the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions in 2019.
Heading into his contract year with the Lions, the injury bug bit Golladay once again. He missed the first two games of the 2020 season with another hamstring issue before a hip pointer sidelined him for the final nine contests.
In the four games he played start to finish, he continued to be the team’s top offensive weapon, either going over 100 yards or catching a touchdown in those appearances.
After the previous regime failed to come to terms on a long-term extension during last year, Detroit’s new management opted not to place the franchise tag on Golladay.
His departure ensures a complete overhaul to the team’s receiving corps, which had already seen Marvin Jones and Jamal Agnew agree to contracts with the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. Danny Amendola, Detroit’s slot receiver the past two seasons, is also not expected to return.
The Lions did get an early start on a replacement plan, signing Tyrell Williams to a one-year deal ahead of free agency. The big-bodied, deep ball specialist was released by Las Vegas Raiders last month after missing the 2020 season with a shoulder injury. In the previous four seasons with the Raiders and Chargers, Williams averaged 49 catches for 772 yards and 5.5 touchdowns.
The team has also reached an agreement with Breshad Perriman.
Outside of Williams and Perriman, the Lions return Quintez Cephus, who caught 20 passes as a rookie last season, and Geronimo Allison, who opted out of the 2020 season shortly after signing a one-year deal with the Lions.
The Lions will obviously need to continue to seek reinforcements throughout the offseason. There are still plenty of productive options available on the free-agent market, including Josh Reynolds, who general manager Brad Holmes knows well from their time together in Los Angeles.
The upcoming draft is also considered to be deep at the position, with three options who merit consideration with Detroit’s first-round pick — Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith or LSU’s JaMarr Chase.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers