The Detroit Lions have signed defensive tackle DJ Reader, the team announced Thursday.
Terms were not disclosed. According to multiple reports, Reader agreed to a two-year, $27.25 million contract.
Reader is another impact defensive player added this week by the Lions, who also traded for cornerback Carlton Davis III.
Reader is considered one of the cornerstones of the Cincinnati Bengals’ franchise turnaround. When he landed with the Bengals in 2020, he was the first external free agent the team signed in its attempt to improve a roster that finished with the league’s worst record in 2019.
He signed a four-year deal worth $53 million, taking the Bengals’ offer over those from other teams such as the Denver Broncos.
He started in all 44 games for the Bengals but suffered season-ending quad injuries in 2020 and 2023. Last season, Reader appeared in 14 games before he tore his right quad in a Week 15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Reader said he experienced a lot of emotions in the process of leaving Cincinnati, especially after experiencing their Super Bowl run in 2021, and the relationships he developed with members of the organization.
“Things happen. Sometimes things don’t work out in relationships, and you’ve got to move on to a better opportunity that I’m really, really excited about,” Reader said.
Reader thought that things would work out with the Bengals but kept his faith of landing in the best situation, which he feels is in Detroit. His personal expectation is to be ready by the beginning of the upcoming year after suffering a season-ending quad injury last season.
“I feel like this is the place. I’m excited about what they have going on,” Reader said. “The energy here as soon as I got here today was amazing, so I was super happy. Saw some familiar faces and that was a really good feel so I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
