Marvin Jones has decided to step away from football to attend to a family matter, something which will bring an end to his Lions tenure. The veteran wideout will be released later today, as noted by Justin Rodger of the Detroit News. The team has since announced the move. 
Jones took to Instagram on Tuesday to address his situation. A statement from the 33-year-old reads in part, “I am stepping away from the team to take care of personal family matters. Although this was no easy decision, I cannot be the person/player that I need to be for this team as well as tend to my family from afar. This organization has been amazing showing love and support for myself and my family over the years and this time is no different.”
After three seasons (and four years) in Cincinnati, Jones first joined the Lions in 2016. That began a five-year run in the Motor City which included his best seasons. The former fifth-rounder eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in 2017, a year in which he led the league in yards per reception with 18 and matched his career-best in touchdowns with nine.
Jones later spent 2021 and ’22 in Jacksonville, serving as a dependable target in the former year in particular before seeing his playing time drop considerably in the latter campaign. Expectations for a bounce-back season were raised, however, when he re-joined the Lions this offseason on a one-year deal. That pact had a base value of $3MM and included another $2MM worth of incentives which, given his performance to date along with today’s news, will not be reached.
Detroit already had Amon-Ra St. Brown in place atop their WR depth chart before adding Jones in free agency. The latter joined the likes of Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond and the recently-reinstated Jameson Williams as complementary options in the passing game, one which has done well without Jones playing a notable role. The Cal product made just five catches for 35 scoreless yards in his return to Detroit. His release will create $2.2MM in a dead cap charge in 2023, along with $800K next season since his pact includes a void year.
Courtland Sutton would be a nice complementary piece. Jerry Jeudy probably stretches field better, but I don’t think his attitude/personality is a good fit for the Lions…Sutton however is a willing blocker & one of those “take a hit & still make the catch” types.
I’d imagine Broncos would do it for a 2024 3rd round pick? Maybe a 3rd and 5th?
I wouldn’t go as high as a 2nd nor do I think Denver would get it elsewhere–they have no leverage and no picks, they have to take whatever they can to start building it Paytons way.
Hope all is well. Seemed like he was well liked wherever he played.
Marvin Jones Jr….aka…Dragon Fly King!
I hope all is well with his family. His early years with the Lions were fun to watch with Golden Tate and Kenny Golladay as sidekicks and Jim Caldwell as coach.
Got to get a guy before deadline. Renfrow? Higgins? Jeudy? Terrace?
Priorities properly defined.
I’m still puzzled why the Lions ever signed a declining 33-year old WR in the first place.
Because as the photo above shows he has 4 arms and should catch anything thrown his way.