At the end of the Detroit Lions’ 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, the Lions offense didn’t kneel down on the final possession. Even with the outcome decided, Detroit didn’t even run to milk the clock.
It might have looked strange to the fans seeing quarterback Jared Goff slinging the ball on short throws to wide receiver Josh Reynolds, but it was part of the plan — a plan that demonstrates why players want to be a part of what Dan Campbell is building in Detroit.
Reynolds entered the game needing 36 receiving yards to hit a bonus clause in his contract worth $250,000. Before that final drive, Reynolds was stuck at 18 yards on the day.
All four plays on the drive were passes to Reynolds, netting him 26 more yards and putting him in the money. After his final catch, the Lions let the clock run out.
After the game, Campbell explained why it was important for the Lions to reward Reynolds.
“When a player does all the dirty work he does for us, all the stuff in the run game, all the blocking, all the unselfish play, then we’re going to do whatever it takes to get him something,” Campbell said proudly.
That’s $250,000 well-spent by the Lions for the message it sends to players about what this team is all about.