Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay may be a week away from free agency. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Lions do not intend to use the franchise label on the former Pro Bowler, which means that if Detroit can not reach an agreement with Golladay, he will be an unlimited free agent on March 17, the start of the new league year.
Golladay reportedly turned down an agreement of “about $ 18, $ 19 million a year” last season, but it has never been clear how far the talks with the new Lions regime have progressed. If they want to sign Golladay in the long run, they have another week before other teams can start negotiating with him, but there are no indications yet that talks are underway, and the current Lions general manager, Brad Holmes, is strict. about the situation.
“Kenny has been at the forefront of making sure we make not only the Lions, but also Kenny, the best decision,” Holmes said last week. “I wish I had a more direct answer to you to tell you exactly what we are going to do, but out of respect for the process, I will keep it internal.”
A former draft pick from the Lions in the third round, Golladay scored 3,068 yards and 21 touchdowns in four seasons in Detroit. He made his first and only Pro Bowl in 2019 after 1,000-year season and he led the NFL that year in receiving touchdowns (11).
If the Lions are indeed moving away from Golladay, they will have to do a lot of work in the wide receiver position. Marvin Jones Jr. and Danny Amendola are also facing free agency next week, and there is no expectation that anyone will return. The Lions did sign the free agent Tyrell Williams official on Tuesday.