Detroit starting to feel like home for Lions LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin

ALLEN PARK — Jalen Reeves-Maybin is happy to stay in Detroit with his Detroit Lions contract extended through the 2025 season.

The linebacker/special teamer signed a two–year, $7.5 million contract extension with the Lions on Feb. 26. The deal made Reeves-Maybin the highest paid core special teamer in the NFL.

“It definitely means a lot, I’ve spent so many years of my life here now, it’s starting to feel like home, raising my family here, it is definitely great not to have to move,’’ Reeves-Maybin said at a Thursday press conference.

Last season Reeves-Maybin played in all 17 games. A special teams standout, he also got key reps at linebacker. He helped get the 2023 season off to a great start by converting a first down on a fake punt in the first quarter of the 2023 regular season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in which the Lions pulled off the upset.

It’s different for Reeves-Maybin — and all the Lions — with expectations so high for the 2024 season.

“I think it’s definitely a different vibe. You can feel it walking around the city,’’ Reeves-Maybin said. “I think it’ll be fun once everybody gets back to see our approach to every day, kind of keeping the standard high. I feel like we’ve always had a high standard but feel it’s going to be more this year. I’m definitely excited for it.’’

Reeves-Maybin, 29, was recently elected as the president of the NFL Players Association. He credits former teammate Don Muhlbach for getting him interested in the union. 

“Over the years it kind of grew to listening, to speaking up more. The previous two years I’ve been on the executive committee so I’ve been able to see things on a deeper level,’’ Reeves-Maybin said.

He was originally drafted by the Lions in the fourth round in 2017. He left Detroit to play for the Texans for the 2022 season and was released in March 2023. He immediately re-signed with Detroit. 

Reeves-Maybin was the NFC’s only special teams representative in February’s Pro Bowl.

Detroit Lions bolster defensive line signing free agent D.J. Reader

ALLEN PARK — Veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader has agreed to a two-year deal with the Detroit Lions which is worth up to $27.5 million.

“The energy as soon as I got here today was amazing. I was super happy, saw some familiar faces, that was a really good feel. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,’’ Reader said during a Thursday night press conference.

Reader, who turns 30 in July, was on the radar visited the Lions on Thursday. He fills a huge need on the defensive line, a point of emphasis for the offseason needs. 

“The physicality of it, that’s the best part, the best part (of the defensive line),’’ Reader said.

It’s expected he’ll play alongside Alim McNeil forming a powerhouse duo. 

“I’m super excited, he’s a young player who has a lot of talent. He’s also a Carolina guy, I’m super happy about that. I love the guys from Carolina. I feel we have the best athletes in the country, you can quote that one. I’m excited to pair with him, seeing things he does well, I watch him all the time on film. I’m excited to pick his brain about what he likes about the position,’’ Readed said.

Reader, whose nickname is BBQ, spent the last four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and helped them reach two straight AFC Championships and Super Bowl LVI. 

“Things happen, sometimes things don’t work out in a relationship and you have to move on. The Lions are a better opportunity and I’m really, really excited about it,’’ Reader said.

Last season he played and started in 14 games last season with one sack, 34 tackles, a pass defense and a fumble recovery. He missed the end of the season after tearing a quad tendon.

He said while rehab is not a walk in the park, it’s coming along and expects to be ready to start the season.

The 6-foot-3, 335-pound defensive tackle was a fifth-round draft pick out of Clemson in 2016 by the Houston Texans and spent his first four seasons there before moving to Cincinnati.

He’s the fourth key defensive addition this offseason including two cornerbacks, Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson; and edge rusher Marcus Davenport.

Cornerback Carlton Davis III brings experience, Super Bowl ring to Detroit Lions

ALLEN PARK — Cornerback Carlton Davis III was shocked to learn the Tampa Bay Bucs had traded him to the Detroit Lions, but along with the surprise came excitement about coming to Detroit.

Davis said after digesting the news and talking it over with his family he’s all good and excited about making the change.

“When the trade happened I was shocked but there were two sides – excitement and shock. As the days go by, I feel more comfortable and I’m putting it in God’s hands,’’ Davis said at a press conference on Wednesday at the Lions facility shortly after the start of the NFL new year at 4 p.m.

To get the 27-year-old Davis, the Lions sent three draft picks to Tampa Bay – a third-round pick in 2024 (92nd overall), a sixth-round pick in 2024 (201 overall) and a sixth-round pick in 2025. Cornerback was definitely one of the needs for the Lions.

After the Bucs drafted him in the second round in 2018 out of Auburn, he spent six seasons with them which included a Super Bowl win over the Chiefs three years ago. He’ll bring to Detroit what he learned it takes to reach the top.

“You have to be able to weather the storm, be poised in all situations. Obviously, trust your teammates, camaraderie is huge. Everybody has to do their part in the system and be able to overcome obstacles because it’s never going to be a smooth ride, you’re never going to always have it your way,’’ Davis said. “Games can go either way, the momentum always changes. You have to be resilient which this team has shown many times … It’s the small details that eventually gets you to where you want to be at.’’

Davis and the Bucs faced the Lions twice last season so he’s a bit familiar with the team, although as a corner he was concentrating more on Detroit’s offense. (The Lions won both games, including the divisional round in the playoffs)

“Usually when you’re in a tough battle, a team at some point budges, when two teams are competing really hard. They never budged, they kept the same energy and played with the same physicality on every play,’’ Davis said. “So just being an opponent you recognize those things, you respect those qualities in a team, for sure.’’

It’s early in the process but Davis said he would be interested in signing a long-term deal with the Lions. But first he wants to get his feet wet. 

As for leadership, he has a basic philosophy: “Show first, talk later.”