By Sunday 
When a familiar face pops up on a rival’s roster, it always hits a little differently—and Lions fans are feeling that sting right now. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Detroit’s longtime special teams anchor and locker room favorite, has officially landed with the Chicago Bears. Yeah… the Bears.
But let’s break down what this really means, both for Detroit and the man himself.
A Lions Mainstay Finds a New Nest
Reeves-Maybin has been a fixture in Detroit for the better part of eight years. Drafted in 2017, he spent seven of those seasons in Honolulu blue—with one quick stop in Houston—before returning to take on a massive leadership role.
He wasn’t just another guy on the roster. He was the special teams captain in 2023 and 2024, a Pro Bowler, a second-team All-Pro, and even the president of the NFLPA. That’s the kind of résumé that commands respect in any locker room.
Yet in February, Detroit made the tough business call to part ways with him to save $2 million in cap space. Fans weren’t thrilled—understandably so—but the NFL is nothing if not a money-driven machine.
From “Old Guard” to New Opportunity
Dan Campbell’s respect for Reeves-Maybin has always been obvious. Remember that 2023 locker room speech after one of those heart-attack-inducing wins? Campbell pointed to Reeves-Maybin and the other vets as “the old guard”—the guys who stuck it out through the hard years, the ugly losses, and the rebuild phases.
Jeremy’s write-up from that era captured it perfectly:
“These players, much like us as fans, have been with this organization for years and have had to endure some of the lowest, most frustrating points in this franchise’s history. Yet, throughout it all, every single one of these players gave it their all, remained loyal to the team, and are now part of the most special season in at least three decades of this franchise.”
That’s legacy-level stuff. And now he brings all that experience—and yes, all that grit—to Chicago’s practice squad.
The Man Still Has Moves—Literally
You can never mention Reeves-Maybin without bringing up his iconic rookie-year “Billie Jean” performance in front of his teammates. The man didn’t just tackle—he moonwalked.
And apparently, he’s still got it. He’s showcasing those dance moves again in a new Hanes commercial. No matter what jersey he’s wearing, he’s going to entertain.
Meanwhile in Detroit…
The Lions sit at 6–4 with seven games left, and according to Shawn Winsor of the Detroit Free Press, they’ll likely need five more wins to lock down a playoff spot. That’s tight. Too tight. Winsor warns that Detroit simply cannot afford to let this stretch run come down to the wire.
But if you need a little calm, Jeff Seidel (also of Free Press) says relax—there are still solid reasons to be optimistic.
And in lighter news, Detroit’s own “Sticky Note Guy” just made an appearance on the Today Show. Yes, you read that right.
A Move That Stings, But a Story Worth Respecting
Reeves-Maybin leaving is bittersweet. You wish he were still in Detroit, but you can’t help rooting for a guy who gave everything to this franchise for so long.
Seeing him in Chicago? It’ll feel weird. But if anyone has earned the right to keep chasing his NFL journey—wherever it leads—it’s Jalen Reeves-Maybin.