Josh Reynolds enjoyed a strong campaign in 2023 with the Lions, but he found himself on the move in free agency this offseason. The veteran receiver joined the Broncos on a two-year deal, something he recently addressed. 
Reynolds posted 4o catches and 608 yards with Detroit last season; both of those figures represented the second-highest totals of his career. He also matched a personal best with five touchdowns. That production kept him on the Lions’ radar, but the team did not submit a market-level contract offer. As a result, Reynolds ultimately signed in Denver on a pact with a base value of $9MM.
“[It’s] business,” the 29-year-old said of the Lions not making a stronger push to re-sign him this offseason (via Jon Heath of Broncos Wire). “It’s a business, but you know, I think I’m at where I’m supposed to be at, and I’m excited.”
The Broncos traded away Jerry Jeudy as part of their re-tooling at the receiver spot. Tim Patrick remains in the fold, as does Courtland Sutton (although in the latter case a contract standoff is currently taking place). Denver also has 2023 second-rounder Marin Mims along with fourth-round rookie Troy Franklin in place as targets for the team’s revamped QB room. Reynolds will aim to carve out a role as part of that group, and he noted the appeal of playing under head coach Sean Payton as a key factor in signing with Denver.
“It was kind of a lot,” the Texas A&M product added when speaking about the reasons why he joined the Broncos. “I think the main decision was that I’ve always admired Sean Payton from afar. I was excited to see what that offense looked like.”
Denver struggled under Nathaniel Hackett for less than a full season in 2022, and Payton’s arrival brought about a slight improvement. The team finished 19th in scoring last year, but a step forward in passing efficiency in particular will be needed in Payton’s second year at the helm. With Russell Wilson no longer in the fold, all eyes will be on which signal-caller earns the Week 1 nod once training camp and the preseason commences. For Reynolds, though, 2024 will mark the opportunity to establish himself as a key receiving option and a strong fit in Payton’s scheme.
The Sutton standoff is a joke
I’m not certain that Reynolds will be a game changer, but he’s got experience to help acclimate to the offense. The thing that helped him a lot in L.A. and Detroit was that he had a great connection with Goff. Goff trusted Reynolds, and Reynolds knew where Goff usually wanted him. He’s got good size, but average athletic talent in my mind. He’s good in the locker room by all accounts, so while I wouldn’t expect him to be WR1, he may be able to contribute as a high volume WR3. Denver is probably really counting on Mims to seize the WR2 role and provide the speed that Sutton (who isn’t slow, but not a burner) and Reynolds lack. Patrick is a possession receiver, and we’ll see how does off of his injury, and I see him as being Reynolds’ competitor role-wise for that third spot. Lastly there’s Franklin-if he comes on, you have to figure that Patrick could be the one with something to prove in that room.
All of this is of course assuming that Sutton comes back to Denver ready to go as previously expected. If not, their WR1 role will be very, very open. It will be very difficult to see them with an unquestioned WR1 without Sutton in the picture with their right now, current roster as it stands. I imagine that they ironically will resemble the post-Thomas decline version of the Saints in taking a platoon approach to that endeavour.
Business…didn’t like the backlash of the dropped passes in the NfC title game …he won’t be used properly in Denver like Ben Johnson had him…see ya bud.
You dropped passes that mattered. We love you. Good luck in Denver