Josh Reynolds played a regrettable role in the Detroit Lions’ second-half downfall on Sunday during the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers. The wide receiver had two crucial drops late in the game, contributing to a 34-31 loss.
In the third quarter, Reynolds failed to secure an open fourth-down target, and later on, he misplayed a catch on third-and-long, leading to a Detroit punt with the game tied.
Acknowledging his part in hindering the team’s quest for its first Super Bowl appearance, Reynolds, as reported by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, expressed his disappointment and took responsibility for the errors. Reflecting on his mindset moving forward, Reynolds acknowledged that mistakes happen and emphasized his determination to learn and prepare for future opportunities.
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“[Expletive] happens, man,” Reynolds said Monday. “I know what kind of player I am. Didn’t want to drop them. [Expletive] happens. I just — do I want those back? Of course, but I can’t, and I just got to work this offseason and be prepared for the moment when it comes.”
Reynolds played a significant role in the Lions’ success, helping them secure their first division title in three decades by making 40 receptions out of 64 targets for 608 yards and five touchdowns. Despite his contributions in earlier playoff victories, he had a challenging night in the NFC Championship Game, securing only one reception alongside the critical errors.
As an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Reynolds expressed a desire to remain with the Lions. He emphasized that no one on the team assigned blame for the loss, with quarterback Jared Goff praising Reynolds as an “absolute stud.”
Looking to turn the bitter ending into a teachable moment, Reynolds emphasized the importance of learning from setbacks and moving forward with a positive mindset. Despite the disappointment, he stressed the need to accept the lessons, face the challenges, and grow from the experience.
