Detroit Lions: Kenny Golladay to miss out on millions?

Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a flurry of league transactions on the first day of the legal tampering period, a big-named receiver remained unsigned, and perhaps the former Detroit Lions playmaker cost himself some money by choosing to hit the open market.

The Detroit Lions have returned to ground-zero as the franchise is yet again forced to go through another rebuild.  As always, we have plenty of optimism that this regime will finally get the franchise pointed in the correct direction.

On the first and second day of the legal tampering period, teams can come to terms on a contract with players set to hit the open market, but the deal won’t become official until Wednesday.

Perhaps the Detroit Lions’ top free agent (at the time of writing this) Kenny Golladay remains unsigned

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Many hoped the Detroit Lions would be willing to re-sign their star pass-catcher before the start of free agency. Still, it’s difficult to pay a receiver upwards of $18 million per season and fill out the remainder of the roster, especially with a decreasing salary cap.

Kenny Golladay battled injuries throughout the 2020 season and had a year to forget, appearing in just five games totaling 338 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns on 20 receptions.

This came on the heels of leading the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions in 2019 and amassing 1,000-plus receiving yards in back-to-back seasons.

Reports suggest that Golladay turned down $18 per season from the Detroit Lions last fall, as described below in an article published by SI’s All Lions;

"“Keep in mind last year these two sides had a discussion about a long-term extension, and Kenny Golladay turned down somewhere around $18, $19 million a year, depending on who you want to believe,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said last week."

Now it seems the price tag on the open market has dropped.  Plus, with a deep draft class at the position, receivers had been the slowest position group to be signed on the first day of the legal tampering period.

Zack Rosenblatt, a New York Giants beat writer for NJ Advance Media, points out that NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport is suggesting Golladay’s next deal will average between $14-$16-million per season.

The Giants, along with the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars, appear interested in Golladay’s services.

The Detroit Lions didn’t exactly make a splash Monday, but they were able to re-sign defensive end Romeo Okwara to a three-year deal worth $39-million.  It’s a good deal for both parties as the 25-year old’s skill-set may still have room to grow after leading the Detroit Lions with 10 sacks in 2020.

The Detroit Lions also came to terms with linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin on a one-year deal worth $2.3-million.

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The organization saw return specialist Jamal Agnew sign a massive three-year deal worth $21-million to join the Jacksonville Jaguars. Middle linebacker Jarrad Davis also signed elsewhere agreeing to a one-year $7-million deal with the New York Jets.