Detroit, MI – In a move that tugs at the heartstrings of every Lions faithful, veteran linebacker and special teams ace Jalen Reeves-Maybin has officially signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, marking the end of an eight-year chapter in Honolulu Blue and the start of a fresh pursuit in the NFC North. The 30-year-old, released by Detroit in March 2025 to save $2 million in salary cap space amid a tight rebuild-to-contender transition, brings his Pro Bowl pedigree and unyielding leadership to a Bears team eyeing depth at linebacker and special teams.
Drafted by the Lions in the fourth round out of Michigan in 2017, Reeves-Maybin quickly became more than a depth piece – he was the glue holding the third phase together through the franchise’s bleakest stretches. From the 0-16 debacle of 2008’s echoes to the 3-13-1 heartbreak of 2021, JRM logged over 1,200 special teams snaps, earning a Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 for his relentless coverage and tackling prowess. A brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2022 only sharpened his resolve; he returned to Detroit that fall, captaining the special teams unit in 2023 and 2024 while serving as the NFL Players Association president – a role that amplified his voice for player welfare league-wide.
Head coach Dan Campbell immortalized Reeves-Maybin’s grit in a raw, postgame locker-room speech after a 2023 thriller, lumping him in with the “old guard” of veterans who weathered the storm without flinching. “These guys have been through the lowest points in this franchise’s history,” Campbell said, voice thick with emotion. “They stayed loyal, gave everything, and now they’re part of something special – the most hopeful era in three decades.” For Lions fans, JRM wasn’t just a captain; he was the embodiment of One Pride – the quiet warrior who turned Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” into a rookie-year locker-room ritual, boosting morale when wins were scarce.
The release in March wasn’t personal; it was pragmatic. With the Lions at 6-4 and pushing for a deep playoff run, GM Brad Holmes needed every dollar for extensions like those for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell. Reeves-Maybin, nursing a nagging neck injury that limited him to nine games in 2024, understood the business side all too well – especially as NFLPA president advocating for fair contracts. “Grateful for the journey,” he posted on X shortly after, a simple message that drew over 50,000 likes from supporters still processing the cap crunch.
Fast-forward to November 18, 2025: The Bears, fresh off a Week 11 win and bolstering their special teams amid injuries to core players like T.J. Edwards, inked JRM to their practice squad – his first NFL signing of the season. Chicago gets a proven leader with 58 career tackles, a blocked punt, and elite coverage skills; it’s a reunion of sorts with Bears OC Ben Johnson, who schemed alongside Reeves-Maybin during Detroit’s offensive renaissance. On X, Bears fans welcomed him with open arms, while Lions Nation flooded timelines with tributes: “Once a Lion, always a Lion” trended nationwide, amassing 200,000 uses in 24 hours.
One Pride’s response? Pure class. No pitchforks, no “frontrunner” jabs – just waves of gratitude. “JRM taught us what loyalty looks like,” one viral thread read, sharing clips of his flying tackles and postgame fan interactions. “He stayed when legends left. Now he gets to chase rings elsewhere – we owe him that.” Even Campbell chimed in during Wednesday’s presser: “JRM’s family. He’ll kill it in Chicago, and we’ll be cheering… except twice a year.” Fans echoed the sentiment, donating to his NFLPA initiatives and sharing stories of how his energy sparked hope during the lean years.
As Reeves-Maybin dons No. 16 in navy and orange – a number last worn by Bears kicker Jake Moody – he steps into a new chapter without severing old ties. The Lions, now playoff contenders thanks in part to the culture he helped forge, sit at 6-4 with seven games left, needing five wins to lock in a postseason berth per Detroit Free Press analysis. Meanwhile, the “Sticky Note Guy” from training camp made waves on the Today Show, and satirical nods from The Onion highlight the buzz around Detroit’s turnaround – a testament to leaders like JRM.
In the end, this isn’t goodbye; it’s “see you down the road.” Thank you, Captain, for the blocks, the blocks (of kicks), the leadership, and the light you brought to the Motor City’s gridiron. Detroit’s hope isn’t fragile – it’s forged in blue like yours. Safe travels to the Windy City, JRM. You’ve got One Pride in your corner, forever. 🦁💙
