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.