The Chicago Bears have brought in a familiar NFC North face, signing former Detroit Lions special teams captain Jalen Reeves-Maybin to their practice squad. The Bears officially announced the move on Tuesday, adding a proven veteran with years of divisional experience.
Reeves-Maybin’s Long Detroit Tenure Comes to an End
Reeves-Maybin, a Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro special teamer, spent seven of the last eight seasons with the Lions after being drafted in the fourth round in 2017. Outside of a one-year stop with the Houston Texans in 2022, the 30-year-old linebacker has been a staple of Detroit’s locker room and culture.
He served as the Lions’ special teams captain in both 2023 and 2024 and remains the president of the NFL Players Association, a role that showcases his league-wide respect.
Why the Lions Moved On
Detroit released Reeves-Maybin in February to free up about $2 million in salary cap space, a decision that disappointed many Lions fans who valued his leadership and longevity. He had been one of the team’s most loyal veterans, weathering some of the franchise’s toughest seasons before helping power its rise back to relevance.
Head coach Dan Campbell famously praised Reeves-Maybin and other long-time players in a 2023 locker-room speech, calling them “the old guard”—a group that helped carry the franchise through its lowest points and into one of its most memorable seasons in decades.
Reeves-Maybin Still in the Spotlight
The linebacker known for his viral “Billie Jean” rookie-season dance is back showing off his moves, this time in a new national Hanes commercial.
Lions’ Playoff Push: What’s Next
At 6–4, the Detroit Lions enter the final stretch needing roughly five more wins to solidify a playoff berth. In the Detroit Free Press, columnist Shawn Windsor stresses that the Lions must avoid letting their postseason hopes come down to the final weeks. Meanwhile, Jeff Seidel urges fans not to panic, offering two strong reasons to remain optimistic about Detroit’s chances.
