Josh Reynolds: 'We're Going To Be Explosive' on Offense
The Lions scored only 19.1 points per game a season ago, ranking just 25th out of 32 NFL franchises.
Yet, with the offseason acquisitions of wide receivers DJ Chark and Jameson Williams, the team is optimistic that the offense can take the next step and become more explosive in 2022.
Detroit, from an offensive standpoint, should also be helped out by the fact that it decided to bring back fellow receiver Josh Reynolds.
Reynolds, a midseason acquisition of the Lions in 2021, was re-signed by Detroit general manager Brad Holmes this offseason to a two-year deal worth up to $12 million.
In seven games in the Motor City last season, the former Los Angeles Rams fourth-round pick caught 19 balls for 306 yards and two touchdowns. He proved to be a valuable piece for Detroit, as it made significant strides offensively in the second half of the season.
Now, heading into his second year as a member of the organization, he believes the Lions will be much harder for defenses to gameplan for going into the '22 season. And, for Reynolds, one of the reasons why will be the various options the team has in its receivers room, which also includes Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond and Quintez Cephus.
“I think it’s got a little bit to do with opening up the playbook a little bit. We’ve got formations for everyone. Puts everybody everywhere,” Reynolds said during his OTAs media session Thursday. “So, it makes it hard for defenses to gameplan for somebody, because they can be in a different spot the next week. I think it’s a big thing with the offense right now. And, once we get it down, we’re going to be explosive.”
Kirthmon F. Dozier, USA TODAY NETWORK
The additions of Chark and Williams, along with a returning St. Brown, who set the Lions franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie in 2021 (912 yards), should lead to an uptick in productivity for Detroit’s receivers room.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson believes “the sky’s the limit” for the position group this upcoming season.
"We got smart players. Really, across the board, we have smart players, which once again we talk about the verbiage and all that. The system. That’s necessary. We’ve got to have smart players, if we’re going to be able to attack defenses the way we’re looking to attack them," Johnson expressed earlier this week. "That room looks really good right now. If we just continue to stay healthy and push each other along, the sky’s the limit."
It also helps that Reynolds, unlike last year, will be able to be a part of the team at the start of the season.
He was claimed off waivers by Detroit after its Week 9 bye a season ago, after being released by the Tennessee Titans. He suited up for just five games with the Titans, hauling in 10 catches for 90 yards and zero touchdowns.
“I mean, it’s awesome (being with the Lions from day one), to be able to actually learn while we’re running plays and (see) what we’re looking for and the defenses, to be able to run this play or that play,” Reynolds said. “So, I mean, being able to start from square one is a big difference.”
