Marvin Jones Is Back In Motown | Major Character Signing

It was announced on March 29th, 2023, that Marvin Jones was coming back to the Detroit Lions for the 2023 season. Jones is expected to sign a 1-year deal worth up to $5 million including incentives with $3 million guaranteed. Jones played for the Lions for five seasons between 2016-2020, spent 2 seasons in Jacksonville and often regarded as a fan favorite with clutch performances. A little known fact about Marvin Jones is that has never fumbled a ball during his entire NFL career.

Dan Campbell & Brad Holmes want this team to bleed character. They do not just say it, they prove it with each and every move they make. Bringing back a player that has an amazing history with the Lions organization, the fan base, the NFL and is an all around humble and likeable guy to have in your locker room. It does not get any better than this at this stage in the Lions journey with the new direction and focus.

Jones was a fan favorite in Detroit during his stay, catching 289 passes for 4,296 yards and 36 touchdowns across 69 games. His best season came in 2017, when Matthew Stafford connected with him 61 times for 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns. Jones also led the league with 18 yards per reception that year.

Yes, Marvin is aging, and he is not the same player he was when he was last in Detroit. What he gives the Lions is a scrappy, consistent, hardworking, ethical, vocal, and inspirational leadership to help players like Jameson Williams elevate his maturation and development in 2023.

Jones caught just 46 passes for 529 yards and three touchdowns with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, after catching 73 passes for 832 yards and four scores in 2021.

Jones has this innate ability to corral these younger players on the roster and teach them how to be the best pro they can. This is an invaluable trait and characteristic that Brad & Dan both are looking for and want from their veterans. With such a young group of guys on this roster, adding veteran leadership is key to take the next steps toward a deep playoff run.

Jones is someone that will surround the receiver room with an upbeat energy and improved focus within their everyday activities. He is the consummate professional proven through his actions both on and off the field.

Expect Jones to be the D.J. Chark replacement until we hear or see different between now and the NFL Draft. As a role player, Jones is someone that can easily give the Lions reliable production in 2023. Jones is known as a dependable asset on the field and a sharp route runner. Jones knows where to be on the field, finding that 1st down marker often.

Jones joins a young and talented receiving core anchored by the sun god himself, Amon Ra St. Brown, 2nd year player Jameson Williams, Josh Reynolds, and Kalif Raymond. With Cepheus on the bubble as the 6th man, this group is completed, for now.

If history tells us anything, we expect Jones to bring in 500 plus yards, 4-6 TDs, 50 plus receptions and average 11-13 YPC this season. Did we mention he has not dropped or fumbled a caught pass in over 10 seasons? (per Pro Football Reference)

The Lions may still be active in the draft, and we would expect them to find a bigger bodied target to round out this group. For now, the WR room is looking solid with depth as another position of strength heading into the draft and prre-camp workouts.