David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Former Tennessee Vols standout receives NFL contract extension

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated 2/26/24

A former Tennessee Vols standout received a nice NFL contract extension on Monday.

Detroit Lions linebacker/special teams ace Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who played at Tennessee from 2013 to 2016, received a two-year extension worth up to $8 million.

The deal makes Reeves-Maybin the highest paid core special teams player of all time according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

The #Lions have agreed to a contract extension with Pro Bowl special teamer Jalen Reeves-Maybin, according to his agent @bd_mclaughlin. It’s a two-year, $7.5 million deal worth a max of $8 million that makes him the highest-paid core special-teamer ever. pic.twitter.com/4oQGDUa6ay
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 26, 2024

Reeves-Maybin, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Lions, was selected to his first Pro Bowl this past season.

And he can pass!!! @ReevesMaybin #DETvsDAL #NFLVols pic.twitter.com/9i0Dz0u2ia
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 31, 2023

The former Vol has carved out a nice role for himself as a special teams player/backup linebacker in Detroit. And it's clear that the Lions appreciate having Reeves-Maybin around -- especially after he spent the 2022 season with the Houston Texans (JRM played in Detroit for the first five years of his career).

Sometimes you don't know what you have until it's gone. And the Lions didn't want to let Reeves-Maybin get away again.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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