Remember back in 2023 when Jared Goff threw the first touchdown of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs? Something very interesting happened two plays before that.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin took a fake punt snap and converted the play that helped keep a Detroit Lions drive alive. The then-special teams captain of the Lions is unsure about his NFL return.

“I’m deep into my career and I know I can still do it and I think I played well this year when I did, but it has to be the right situation for me," he said in an interview with the Free Press. The Lions drafted Reeves-Maybin in the 4th round (124th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

He was a Detroit player from 2017 to 2021, before leaving for the Houston Texans in 2022. Though he later returned to the Lions for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, they released him in early 2025. He then signed with the Chicago Bears. The NFL star has had 157 solo tackles, 65 assists, 1.5 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries.

"I have other priorities that are kind of creeping up there with just me as a football player. My family’s growing, I put a lot into my role [with the NFLPA], so we’ll see what happens," he added. "I’m open to it, but I’m going to be picky and I’m going to get to a place where I feel like I’m set up nice and have comfort."

The former Lions star keeps his personal life private. But he is reported to be married to a woman named Ashlee, and the couple is also reported to have a child together. But that is not the only responsibility he faces as a roadblock to his NFL return.

The NFLPA Board of Player Representatives elected him to be their president of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) in 2024. Also, under NFLPA bylaws, the NFLPA president must remain an active player. But his two-year tenure will end in 2026.

There's a strong possibility that he might return to the NFL. But he revealed himself to be picky when choosing his next team. The former Lions star also expressed his opinions on Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson.

Jalen Reeves‑Maybin Explained the Key Difference Between Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson

Reeves‑Maybin not only played with Jared Goff and Co. at the Lions.

He has had the opportunity to play under both Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson. And who else would know the difference between the two coaching styles other than him?

"Obviously Dan is an incredible leader and if you’re around him he’s going to make an impact on you and you’re probably going to take things from him," Reeves-Maybin said, "but Ben is his own person and he’s extremely smart and he definitely has his own approach."

Ben Johnson joined the Lions as an assistant in 2019 and was Campbell's offensive coordinator from 2022-24. The one-time Pro Bowler also said that he was fortunate to grow a relationship with him.

What do you think about his words? And do you think he will return to the NFL? Let us know in the comments!

And also, you can read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Kalp Thaker