Kenny Golladay Rumors: Lions Don't Plan on Using Franchise Tag on WR

The Detroit Lions reportedly do not plan on using their franchise tag on wide receiver Kenny Golladay, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. 

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the news, noting it's unclear if the Lions plan on using the tag on another player.

Golladay, 27, spent his first four seasons in Detroit. He's coming off an injury-plagued 2020 that saw him limited to 20 catches for 338 yards and two touchdowns in five games.

The Lions have undergone massive organizational changes this offseason, hiring general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell and trading quarterback Matthew Stafford. It seems likely Detroit is headed toward a multiyear rebuild, and Golladay is seemingly not part of the organizational plan.

Golladay will join a free-agent crop of receivers set to include JuJu Smith-Schuster, Will Fuller V and teammate Marvin Jones Jr. Allen Robinson II, the top wideout potentially hitting the market, is yet to have his status decided by the Chicago Bears; it remains possible that they use their franchise tag to keep him from hitting free agency.

Golladay and Fuller will be the best deep threats on the open market, with Golladay averaging 16.8 yards per reception for his career. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2018 and 2019, setting a career-best mark with 11 touchdowns in 2019.