D.J. Reader has found his next opportunity. The veteran defensive tackle has agreed to a two-year deal with the Lions, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The pact is worth up to $27.25MM and includes more than $9MM in guaranteed money, per Rapoport. 
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Reader met with the Lions on Tuesday, with Detroit looking to evaluate the progress of his recovery from a quad injury. That ailment ended his 2023 campaign, and it marked his second career torn quad, something which threated to limit his earning power on the open market. Another Bengals deal was on Cincinnati’s radar, but the 29-year-old will head to the Motor City instead.
After playing out his rookie contract with the Texans, Reader landed a four-year, $53MM deal to join the Bengals in 2020. He was an impactful starter over that time, being rated in the top 11 for defensive tackles by PFF in each of the past three seasons. The former fifth-rounder racked up 123 tackles and three sacks in 44 Bengals contests, proving to be a valued member of the 2021 team which reached the Super Bowl.
His absence will be acutely felt up front for Cincinnati (though Sheldon Rankins has been added as a replacement), but the Lions’ D-line will benefit greatly with Reader in the fold. Detroit already had Alim McNeill in place as a starter, but the team was in the market for another interior lineman to pair with him. Reader will fit the bill as part of a Lions front which also includes Aidan Hutchinson and, now, fellow edge rusher Marcus Davenport.
Improving up font was a goal for Detroit, a team which has also made a few notable moves in the secondary. After reaching the NFC title game, expectations will be high in Detroit given the core players which will be carried over in 2024. Reader is a high-profile addition to that group, and if healthy he will be a key contributor for the Lions over the course of his third NFL contract.
This one hurts man DJ is a Cincy hero for life though help spearhead the turn around from those good awful defense from before
This is a GREAT signing! He went get many sacks himself, but he will take up blockers for others to do their thing. Love this!
NO!!
Hate to burst Lions fan’s bubble.. But the Bengals let him leave, and the Lions only guaranteed $9m, bcs there’s a good chance he barely contributes this season. If at all. That’s a big 30 year old man coming off a major injury, not the first time either.
The Bengals, along with the Lions and Titans, were one of three teams to have interest in him. The Lions’ doctors gave him a green light regarding his health. The Bengals’ DC called him the most consistent player on his defense before his quad injury. I think the Lions got a bargain at only a little over $9m guaranteed over two years.
If he can only come back to most of what he is in a lesser role, that’s a hell of a player to add to their interior with McNeill.
Excellent. I wanted Armstead, but this is a low risk high reward signing. Not bad.
Negativity coming from Cincy fan, he’ll be fine, I mean you guys thought you got better by signing a RT to play LT ( Brown ) he needs extra help blocking, paid him big bucks, you guys tagging aging receivers, and paying a injury prone quarterback, it ain’t gonna get any easier for you next couple of years, especially looking at the Ravens roster, and your not getting any closer to the Chiefs, who just know what to do to win the big games
Tee Higgins is an “aging” receiver????? He JUST turned 25 in January. We Browns fans are very well aware of how good a receiver Higgins is. The Bengals’ “injury prone” is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, in the top 5, in my opinion. Over the last few years, Reader has been virtually a one-man wrecking crew against the Browns, and while I hope he’s healthy, I guarantee you that the ONLY reason Cincinnati would let him go is because of health concerns. If his health holds up, Detroit made a heck of a pickup.
This is wins dumbest comment of the week. Congrats
Good signing by Detroit
This is a good signing by Detroit. Low risk deal. I’m liking Holmes decisions this offseason although I really think we need a EDGE to pair with Aiden on the outside.
Man, I’m gonna miss that guy.. You’re not going to find one Bengals fan that doesn’t love that dude. Good luck in Detroit!