Lions releasing LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, clearing more than $2 million in cap space

Indianapolis — The Detroit Lions intend to release linebacker and special teams standout Jalen Reeves-Maybin. The move will clear more than $2 million in cap space.

Reeves-Maybin, a fourth-round draft pick for the Lions back in 2017, has spent most of his career with the franchise. He played the 2022 season with the Houston Texans before re-signing with the Lions in 2023.

In his first year back with the Lions, he delivered his best season, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors as a special teamer. That showing earned him a two-year, $7.5 million extension from the club the following offseason.

A neck injury limited Reeves-Maybin to 10 games last season. The implementation of the league's dynamic kickoff rule also reduced his special teams contributions, which led the Lions to settle for more touchbacks to limit returns.

Reeves-Maybin, who also serves as the NFLPA's president, was set to have a $4.75 million cap hit this season, which includes a $500,000 roster bonus due the fifth day of the upcoming league year (March 17).

The Lions will remain responsible for $1 million of his base salary, which they guaranteed at signing, and a $1.25 million prorated portion of his $2.5 million signing bonus.

The NFL officially set the salary cap at $279.2 million for the 2025 season, up $23.8 million from the previous year. The Lions currently project to have more than $50 million in cap space, before factoring in the need to add the team's upcoming draft class.

In addition to Reeves-Maybin, the Lions face some other cap decisions ahead of the league year, including whether to exercise a $7 million option bonus on defensive end Za'Darius Smith.