The Detroit Lions are reportedly parting ways with the veteran linebacker in a move that will save nearly $2 million in cap space.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Detroit Lions are planning to release veteran linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
The move comes just a year after handing Reeves-Maybin a two-year, $7.5 million contract that included $5.245 million guaranteed. The linebacker was going to cost $4.645 million against the salary cap this year, but that will drop to just $2.75 million in dead cap after his release—saving $1.895 million. Reeves-Maybin is due a $500,000 roster bonus on March 1, so the official move is likely coming in the next day or two.
Reeves-Maybin has been on and off the Lions since they drafted him in 2017. The 30-year-old linebacker has regularly been a significant contributor on special teams, and was the Lions’ captain on special teams last year. He is also currently the NFL Players Association’s president.
Last year, Reeves-Maybin played in just 10 games after dealing with a neck injury in the middle of the season. He played in 159 snaps on defense and remained a big contributor on special teams, logging 210 snaps there. He finished the year with 14 tackles and a forced fumble.
After Reeves-Maybin’s release, the Lions will be relatively shorthanded at the linebacker position. Starters Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell are under contract, as is primary backup Malcolm Rodriguez who is rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered on Thanksgiving Day in a win over the Chicago Bears. But the rest of the players under contract—Abraham Beauplan and DaRon Gilbert—have not played much at all.
Other Lions linebackers facing free agency include Derrick Barnes, Trevor Nowaske (exclusive-rights), Anthony Pittman (restricted), Ben Niemann, Ezekiel Turner, and Kwon Alexander.