The Lions may be ready to part ways with their young wideout

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The relationship between the Detroit Lions and wide receiver T.J. Jones may soon be coming to an end.

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Rumors coming out of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis is that the Lions may not tender Jones, set to become a restricted free agent. Following the season that Jones had in 2017, this may be a tough pill for some Lions fans to swallow.

Because Jones is a restricted free agent, the Lions could put any of the following tenders on Jones: the first-round tender on him that would cost $4.1 million, a second-round tender that would cost $2.9 million, or the original round tender that would cost $2 million. If another team were to sign Jones and he had a tender placed on him, the team signing Jones would have to give the Lions their pick equalling whatever tender it may be.

The Lions still do have a chance to sign him, but it is obvious that they feel 2M+ for the fourth year, sixth-rounder Jones would be too steep a financial commitment for them. If the Lions do not bring him back, they may be thinking they can find a better option in free agency or the draft. The Lions also have Kenny Golladay, who is a younger option and will hopefully be healthy all season long in 2018.

Jones, who turns 26 years old in July, will certainly get calls from other NFL teams. Jones became a good third and fourth option for quarterback Matthew Stafford, as well as a good safety valve type wideout. With Stafford in control of the offense, losing Jones wouldn’t be the worst thing, but it would be a bit of a head scratcher should the Lions choose to let him seek employment elsewhere.

Jones had his most productive year to date in 2017 for the Lions, catching 30 passes for 399 yards and one TD.

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