Josh Reynolds

Broncos To Sign WR Josh Reynolds

After trotting out mostly the same wide receiver group for the past four seasons, the Broncos moved on from Jerry Jeudy to signal a shift under Sean Payton. They are now adding a key piece to Payton’s second Denver roster.

Josh Reynolds is signing with the Broncos, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who indicates the ex-Lions and Rams wideout agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $14MM. The Ravens were also pursuing Reynolds, hosting him on a visit last week, but he will join Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Marvin Mims in Denver.

[RELATED: Broncos Keeping Tim Patrick After Pay Cut]

The former Rams fourth-rounder transitioned from midseason waiver claim — on a Lions team in need of receiving help during Dan Campbell‘s first season — to regular starter. As Detroit made its climb to the NFC North championship and the Super Bowl LVIII precipice, Reynolds operated as a key Amon-Ra St. Brown sidekick — even as Jameson Williams‘ role expanded. Reynolds finished last season with 40 catches for 608 receiving yards and five touchdowns. The Lions did make an attempt to re-sign Reynolds, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Reynolds, 29, playing for Campbell could make a transition to Payton easier when considering the popular Lions HC spent five years as a Saints assistant. This will, however, mark a transition from Jared Goff, Reynolds’ QB for most of his career. The Rams let Reynolds walk after his rookie deal expired, moving on despite the 6-foot-3 target’s career-high 618 receiving yards in 2020. Los Angeles was carrying then-recent extensions for Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods at that point, and Reynolds signed with the Titans. That fit did not take, with the Lions claiming the Texas A&M alum following a November cut.

The Lions used Reynolds as a key St. Brown complement for two-plus seasons, as an injury and a gambling suspension sidetracked Williams’ NFL start. Even with Williams back in action following his six-game 2023 ban, Reynolds maintained a regular role. That said, he did not eclipse 45 receiving yards after Williams returned to action. While operating mostly as a decoy, Reynolds did resurface with an 80-yard showing in the Lions’ wild-card win over the Rams. Reynolds also caught a touchdown pass in the Lions’ second-round win over the Buccaneers, but he dropped a crucial fourth-down pass against the 49ers in the NFC title game.

While the Reynolds contract’s base value is not yet known, this deal qualifies as more than a flier. It stands to crowd Denver’s receiver group, though Reynolds also represents insurance in case Patrick — he of ACL and Achilles tears in consecutive training camps — is unable to recapture his pre-Russell Wilson-era form. Denver keeping Sutton on the roster as of March 18 guaranteed the seventh-year veteran $2MM of his $13MM 2024 base. That would point to Denver’s 2023 receiving leader sticking around, but the Broncos dangled the former second-round pick in trades last year — nearly sending him to Baltimore — before turning to him as Wilson’s top target. Jeudy recently signed a Browns extension, after being dealt for fifth- and sixth-round picks.

It is not known who exactly will be targeting the Broncos’ receivers in 2024, but the team has its group nearly rounded out a month ahead of the draft.

Ravens To Host WR Josh Reynolds

The Ravens continue to seek out options on the veteran wide receiver market. Josh Reynolds will head to Baltimore for a visit tomorrow, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

[RELATED: Michael Gallup To Visit Ravens]

Reynolds began his career with the Rams, operating as a secondary receiving option for much of his first three years in Los Angeles. He took on starting duties in 2020, though, and he posted a career-best 52 catches and 618 yards that year. The former fourth-rounder joined the Titans in free agency off the back of that production, but things did not go according to plan in Nashville.

Playing on a one-year, $1.75MM pact, Reynolds was unable to carve out a role in Tennessee. He asked for and was granted his release, leading to a waiver claim by the Lions in 2021. With Detroit, the 29-year-old found more consistent playing time and earned a two-year, $12MM deal during the subsequent offseason. Reynolds remained a key member of the Lions’ attack over the past two years, totaling 78 catches, 1,078 yards and eight touchdowns in that span.

The Ravens will not have Odell Beckham Jr. in the fold for 2024, and the team is in search of a replacement for his complementary production from last season. Fellow veteran Nelson Agholor was retained earlier in the offseason, and former first-rounders Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman are on their respective rookie contracts. With tight end Mark Andrews also in the fold, any WR addition will be joining the Ravens in a bid to serve in a rotational capacity and fill a depth role in the pass-catching pecking order.

Reynolds – who has averaged 13.3 yards per catch in his career – could fit the bill. The Lions have Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond in place at the WR spot; the team also signed Tre’Quan Smith to a futures deal in January. Reynolds could thus be on the move for the third time in his career this offseason, and a Baltimore deal would make sense. The Ravens (a team which added offensive lineman Josh Jones earlier today) entered Thursday with just under $14MM in cap space.

Contract Details: Reynolds, Shepard, Martinez

Here’s another detailed look at a deal done this week, as well as some information on some contract restructuring in New York:

  • Josh Reynolds, WR (Lions): Two-year, $6MM. The contract has a guaranteed amount of $2.7MM, including a $1.5MM signing bonus and the full 2022 salary of $1.2MM, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network. Reynolds can really see a payday in 2023. That year of his deal has a base value of $1.8MM, a $1MM roster bonus activated on the third day of the 2023 league year, and $400,000 for the year in per game active bonuses (around $23,529 per game). The deal also holds $2MM of annual incentives based on catches, yards, and touchdowns as well as an additional $2MM incentive in 2023 based on team achievements, playoffs, and stats.
  • The Giants recently came to agreements with wide receiver Sterling Shepard and linebacker Blake Martinez to restructure their contracts. The Athletic reporter Dan Duggan confirmed on Twitter that both deals are worth roughly $2.25MM in 2022 with incentives that can push the value up to about $5MM. The intention was to lower the two veterans’ cap hits and they will do that, dropping Martinez’s cap number from $14MM to about $8MM and Shepard’s number from $12.4MM to about $6.5MM.

Lions Sign WR Josh Reynolds To Extension

More news continues to come out of the NFC North. The Lions are signing Josh Reynolds to a two-year contract, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter link).

Garafolo adds that the deal is worth up to $12MM. That’s quite the pay raise from the one-year, $1.75MM he signed for last offseason with the Titans. There was plenty optimism surrounding the former fourth rounder at that point, as he was coming off a career year (52 catches, 618 yards, two touchdowns) during his final season with the Rams.

Instead, Reynolds only played five games in Nashville, recording just 10 catches. Stuck behind not only A.J. Brown but also fellow offseason acquisition Julio Jones on the depth chart, he asked to be released to find a new home for the rest of the campaign. That request was granted, and he was claimed off waivers by the Lions.

Reunited with quarterback Jared Goff, his play took off. In seven contests, he averaged 16 yards per catch, totalling 306 yards and two touchdowns. On a team lacking pass-catching options besides T.J. Hockenson and breakout rookie WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, the 27-year-old could fill in comfortably as at least least a reliable secondary option.

Garafolo also notes that the Lions were eager to get this deal done before the start of free agency next week. With Reynolds in place, another notable piece of business has been taken care of.

NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 1/3/22

Here are Monday’s activations from and placements on the reserve/COVID-19 lists:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Mike Remmers (remains on IR)

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raymond Calais (remains on IR)

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Rams Tried To Claim WR Josh Reynolds

The Rams made an attempt to acquire one of their former wideouts. Los Angeles placed a claim on wide receiver Josh Reynolds, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter). Reynolds ended up getting claimed by the Lions thanks to their top waiver position.

The 2017 fourth-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Rams. He finally emerged in 2020, hauling in 52 receptions for 618 yards and two touchdowns. However, Reynolds was never going to have a shot at cracking the top of the Rams depth chart, and he ended up joining the Titans this offseason.

Reynolds’ signing came before the team traded for Julio Jones, and the FA acquisition was buried on the depth chart by the start of the season. The 26-year-old only saw time in five games this year with Tennessee, hauling in 10 receptions for 90 yards. He only appeared in five offensive snaps in Week 8 before not playing in Week 9. Reynolds asked for and was granted his release by the Titans earlier this week.

Now, the wideout will team up with his former QB, Jared Goff. However, he could have rejoined former teammates Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. 2020 second-round pick Van Jefferson has stepped up with Reynolds out of the picture in Los Angeles, hauling in 27 receptions for 433 yards and three touchdowns.

Lions Claim WR Josh Reynolds

The Lions put their top waiver position to good use Wednesday, claiming wide receiver Josh Reynolds, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).

Reynolds requested his release from Tennessee, and because this move came after the trade deadline, the fifth-year wideout went through waivers. He did not make it past team No. 1 in the priority but will head to a Lions team in need at the position.

Detroit’s offseason signings of Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman did not work out. Perriman did not make the Lions’ 53-man roster, and a Williams concussion led to an IR trip and an eventual injury settlement. The Lions parted ways with Williams last week. T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift lead the Lions in receiving yards; Kalif Raymond‘s 334 is the most among Detroit’s wideouts.

This claim will reunite Reynolds and Jared Goff, who played together for four seasons in Los Angeles. A fourth-round Rams pick in 2017, Reynolds played an auxiliary role with L.A. but saw decent run in 2020. The 6-foot-3 target caught 52 passes for 618 yards and two scores last year, helping pave a path to Tennessee in free agency. The Titans fit did not pan out; Reynolds has just 10 receptions for 90 yards this season. His one-year contract contains less than $1MM in remaining base salary.

Titans WR Josh Reynolds Granted Release

Another wideout is set to hit the waiver wire. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that the Titans have cut wideout Josh Reynolds. The player asked for (and was granted) his release.

Following a career year in 2020, Reynolds joined the Titans on a one-year deal in March. However, his signing came before the team traded for Julio Jones, and Reynolds was buried on the depth chart by the start of the season. The 26-year-old has only seen time in five games this season, hauling in 10 receptions for 90 yards. He only saw five offensive snaps in Week 8 before not playing in Week 9.

The 2017 fourth-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Rams. He finally emerged in 2020, hauling in 52 receptions for 618 yards and two touchdowns. There’s a good chance he’ll find an opportunity to resume his NFL career elsewhere.

While Reynolds was already buried on the depth chart, the Titans could conceivably look to promote Dez Fitzpatrick or Mason Kinsey from the practice squad.

Titans To Sign Josh Reynolds

The Titans have agreed to sign former Rams wide receiver Josh Reynolds on a one-year deal, according to Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (on Twitter). Exact terms of the deal are not yet known. 

Reynolds, a 2017 fourth-round pick, spent his entire career with the Rams up until today. He’s coming off of a career year with 52 grabs for 618 yards, plus two touchdowns. In the three previous seasons combined, he had 61 catches for 832 yards. Reynolds found his footing as the Rams’ No. 3 receiver — now, he’ll be tasked with replacing former first-round pick Corey Davis in Nashville. Or, at least, replacing some of Davis’ production in support of A.J. Brown.

The Rams were not expected to retain Reynolds, especially given their numbers crunch. Currently, the Rams project to use 2020 second-rounder Van Jefferson as the No. 3WR behind Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.

NFC West Notes: Seahawks, Golden, 49ers

For the second time in three years, K.J. Wright is a free agent. The longest-tenured Seahawks player has already signed three contracts with the franchise that drafted him. He is eager to ink a fourth.

I’m having fun; I love this city. I love this team, so let’s make it happen,” Wright said of a return to Seattle, via ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson. “… (A return is) up to Pete (Carroll) and John (Schneider). They know how much I mean to this team. They know I’m a great teammate, a great leader and it would be a great investment — in my opinion — if they invest in K.J. and to bring him back into the building. You get what you pay for, and I bring a lot to the table still.”

Wright, 31, does not sound interested in a hometown discount, per veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson (on Twitter). The Seahawks have paired Wright and Bobby Wagner for nine seasons and used both as sub-package linebackers for most of the 2020 slate. But Seattle drafting Jordyn Brooks in last year’s first round could complicate a Wright return. Pro Football Focus rated Wright as its No. 8 overall ‘backer this past season.

Here is the latest from the NFC West:

  • The Seahawks were not planning to part ways with OC Brian Schottenheimer, but Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports notes an end-of-season meeting — in which Carroll reinforced his preference to focus on the run game — helped lead to the team changing play-callers. The Seahawks deviated in the season’s first half from Carroll’s run-centric vision but reverted more toward their usual setup down the stretch. It will be interesting to see how Seattle’s offense looks under new OC Shane Waldron, who spent five years in Washington and Los Angeles working under Sean McVay.
  • Markus Golden‘s sack total dropped from 10 in 2019 to 4.5 in 2020, and the Cardinals saw Haason Reddick complete a contract-year breakout. Still, the older Arizona edge rusher would like to return. “It gave me another shock of energy just being back home,” Golden said of the trade that sent him from the Giants to the Cards, via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. “Being here where I know my heart is, it really matters to me to be in Arizona on the Cardinals.” Golden, who signed with the Giants in 2019 and stayed in New York via the rare UFA tender last year, is set for free agency for a third straight year.
  • Big expenses at the top of the Rams‘ payroll have forced the team to let several role players walk in recent offseasons. This year may be no exception. The Rams are unlikely to re-sign Josh Reynolds, Malcolm Brown or Gerald Everett, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic notes (subscription required). The Rams having drafted contributors at these positions in 2020, and having two wideouts (Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods) and a tight end (Tyler Higbee) signed long-term already, pointed this trio to free agency.
  • Jeff Wilson‘s one-year 49ers extension can max out at $3.6MM, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. Wilson will receive $2.05MM fully guaranteed, with another possible $1.55MM available via incentives. The incentives would give Wilson a chance to out-earn the low-end RFA tender price, which OverTheCap projects at $2.24MM for running backs. He is still due to be a 2022 UFA.
  • Nick Mullens underwent elbow surgery last month, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. This, however, was not a Tommy John operation, with Garafolo adding the 49ers backup’s injury was not as severe as initially feared. He is expected to be ready by training camp.