The Detroit Lions spent the entire summer worrying about their receiver situation, especially when it came to finding reliable targets behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. I distinctly remember sitting in the press room at Allen Park when Dan Campbell shared his thoughts on the matter, expressing a sense of frustration. He said:
“Yeah, it’s still the same as it’s been. We’re waiting for somebody to step forward, you know? We’re waiting for any one of those guys to step up. We’re dying for somebody to say, ‘Hey, I’m your guy. I’ll be consistent every day and make plays.'”
One of the key moves the Lions had hoped to make was bringing back Josh Reynolds, who was a steady presence on the field the previous season. Unfortunately, Reynolds left the team and signed with the Denver Broncos, leaving the Lions without that reliable veteran presence. Afterward, Campbell spoke candidly about how much the team had relied on Reynolds, stating:
“Honestly, we just need a reliable staple, you know? That’s what Reynolds was for us. He was the guy we could count on—he was always where he was supposed to be, playing any spot, and he’d come through with a crucial catch when needed.”
Now, heading into the final five games of the regular season, the Lions have a golden opportunity to bring Reynolds back after the Broncos waived him. Reynolds played a vital role in the Lions’ offense in 2023, catching 40 passes with 32 of them converting to first downs. Forget the drops in the NFC Championship; Reynolds was a consistent and productive player for Detroit.
With Kalif Raymond sidelined, adding Reynolds back to the roster could provide an immediate boost to the Lions’ passing game. They could place him on the practice squad and elevate him when necessary or wait until the playoffs when elevations reset.
It makes too much sense for the Lions not to pursue him. Reynolds still has to clear waivers, and if no other team claims him, the Lions could sign him as a free agent next week. The situation is a perfect fit, and it’ll be interesting to see if Detroit takes advantage of this opportunity to reunite with one of their most reliable offensive weapons from last season.