The Detroit Lions offense has been a dominant force in the NFL this season, leading the league in scoring with an impressive average of 33.2 points per game during the regular season. The unit also ranked second in total yards per game (409.5), trailing only the Baltimore Ravens. A significant contributor to this offensive success has been Detroit’s formidable rushing attack, powered by the dynamic duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. When healthy, the pair forms one of the league’s most explosive backfield tandems.
Beyond Gibbs and Montgomery, the Lions have benefited from the depth provided by running back Craig Reynolds. The 28-year-old stepped into the role of RB2 during Montgomery’s absence and performed admirably, averaging 4.6 yards per carry over the final three regular-season games. Reynolds has shown his value as a reliable and efficient contributor when called upon.
However, Reynolds is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2025 offseason, and speculation about his future has already begun. According to Andrew Freeman of **Bears Report**, Reynolds is predicted to leave Detroit and sign a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Chicago Bears. Freeman also anticipates that the Bears will hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach and acquire additional Lions veterans in free agency.
“Along with acquiring Reynolds, I predict the Bears will add several players familiar with Johnson’s offensive system, including Netane Muti and Shane Zylstra,” Freeman wrote.
Reynolds has excelled in limited action as a running back throughout his career, but his true value lies in his contributions on special teams. During the 2024 regular season, Reynolds logged 270 special teams snaps for Detroit and earned a solid 65.6 grade from Pro Football Focus in that area.
If Reynolds joins the Bears, he would provide depth behind Chicago’s top running back, D’Andre Swift, while continuing to contribute on special teams. The Bears are in need of seasoned veterans who bring both on-field production and leadership, and Reynolds fits that description perfectly. With his experience and versatility, Reynolds would not only bolster the Bears’ backfield but also fill an important role on their special teams unit.
This potential move highlights the ripple effects of Johnson’s rumored departure to Chicago, as it could prompt several Lions players, including Reynolds, to follow their offensive leader to a new team. For the Lions, losing Reynolds would mean finding another player capable of stepping into a depth and special teams role while maintaining their elite offensive production.
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