The Detroit Lions have locked up another one of their top free agents before the new league year opens next week.
Wide receiver Josh Reynolds signed a two-year extension with the Lions on Tuesday worth up to $12 million.
Claimed off waivers from the Tennessee Titans at midseason, Reynolds played a significant role in the Lions’ improved offense in the second half of last season. He caught 19 passes for 306 yards in seven games in Detroit and gave the Lions a viable outside threat to pair with Amon-Ra St. Brown.
BIRKETT’S POST-COMBINE THOUGHTS: Lions to be major players in WR market
FREE AGENCY: Lions need backup QB for Jared Goff. Here’s who may attract them
MORE: What Dan Campbell *didn’t* say might hint at Lions’ QB plans in 2022 NFL draft
Reynolds, a teammate of Jared Goff’s with the Los Angeles Rams in 2017-20, said late in the season he hoped to stay with the Lions in 2022.
“I’d love to stick around, man,” he said. “Going with Tennessee and stuff, it was just unfortunate kind of circumstances that happened with me, or at the beginning of the season with some injuries and stuff that kind of held me back and guys doing their thing and being able to go out and produce. It was a tough situation, but just talking with family and my agent and stuff and God, I’m in the right spot. So I’d love to be back with this team. Love the guys, love the coaches, love the front office. It’s definitely where I’d like to be.”
Even with Reynolds’ return, the Lions are expected to be major players in the receiver market when free agency opens next week.
They are looking for a No. 1 receiver to pair with Reynolds, St. Brown and Quintez Cephus, though several of the top free agents at the position — Davante Adams, Chris Godwin and Mike Williams — are strong candidates for the franchise tag.
Already this offseason, the Lions re-signed fullback Jason Cabinda and linebacker Josh Woods, keeping both from testing restricted free agency.
[ Fresno State’s Ronnie Rivers, son of ex-Detroit Lions RB, following dad’s footsteps to NFL ]
Safety Tracy Walker, defensive end Charles Harris and linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jalen Reeves-Maybin are the Lions’ top remaining unrestricted free agents, and the team remains in contact with return man Kalif Raymond about a possible return.
Teams can start negotiating with free agents on other teams March 14, and the free agent signing period begins at 4 p.m. March 16.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.