Detroit Lions to sign Jamie Collins: Grade, reaction and more
By John Buhler
After one year back with the New England Patriots, linebacker Jamie Collins will be heading to the Detroit Lions in his impending free agency.
Linebacker Jamie Collins is best known for 4.5 seasons spent with the New England Patriots over his seven-year NFL career out of Southern Miss. The 2015 Pro Bowler spent parts of three seasons with the Cleveland Browns before returning to Foxborough for the 2019 campaign. However, that return to the Patriots seems to be short-lived.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Collins will be signing with the Detroit Lions once the new league year starts on Wednesday afternoon. ESPN’s Field Yates reports it is a three-year, $30 million deal with $18 million of that guaranteed. Collins will be reuniting with former Patriots defensive coordinator and current Lions head coach Matt Patricia in Detroit.
It wasn’t the best day in free agency for the Lions, as they lost two key offensive linemen. After cutting Ricky Wagner earlier in the week, he signs with the division rival Green Bay Packers. Interior offensive lineman Graham Glasgow plans to take his talents to the Denver Broncos on a new deal. Adding Collins at least gives the Lions something positive.
Here are the contract details, national reaction and grade for Collins signing with the Lions.
Contract Details
Yates reported it is a three-year deal worth $30 million, $18 million guaranteed. Collins will be making an average salary of $10 million for the next three years with the Lions. This will bring him through his age-32 season with the Lions, slated to hit unrestricted free agency once again in 2023.
National Reaction
Source: The #Lions are signing former #Patriots LB Jamie Collins
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
Three-years, $30M with $18M guaranteed for Jamie Collins, who was one of the most impactful defensive players in football early on last season. https://t.co/SAlKroc8zX
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 17, 2020
Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy got a combined $81 million today in free agency.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 17, 2020
Bill Belichick gave up a sixth-round pick to acquire KYN and signed Collins to a vet minimum deal last off-season.
Reminder: New Lions linebacker Jamie Collins will return to the Patriots on a minimum deal in 2022, after two disappointing years in Detroit, and win defensive player of the year. Thanks.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) March 17, 2020
Source: Patriots LB Jamie Collins has agreed to terms with the Lions. Will reunited with Detroit coach Matt Patricia.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 17, 2020
There are mixed reviews on this deal for the Lions. At times, Collins can play like one of the best linebackers in football. However, he gives off the vibe that he is a product of the Bill Belichick system in New England. Keep in mind the Patriots were able to sign him for the veteran minimum ahead of last season. Maybe Collins can thrive in Patricia’s Patriots offshoot in Detroit?
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At $10 million a year, this is a nice bump in pay for Collins. He is expected to do big things in Detroit upon his arrival. However, players often fall short of lofty expectations when singing on with the Lions. Though there is reason to be optimistic about this deal, it’s hard to see the Lions getting three great years out of Collins. Also, Patricia won’t be there by the end of this contract.