As the NFL calendar edges closer to the offseason, uncertainty surrounds veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader and what lies ahead. With free agency looming in 2026, the longtime interior lineman acknowledges the unpredictability of the process — though his personal wish is clear.
Reader, a former Clemson standout, made it known that he would welcome the opportunity to remain with the Detroit Lions, even as he understands the business realities teams face.
“I’ve really enjoyed being here — the locker room, the coaching staff, everything,” Reader said. “You never know how free agency is going to go.
There are other priorities the team has to handle, and I get that. But I’ve loved my time in Detroit.”
Reliable Presence on the Defensive Front
Now 31, Reader is in his second year with the Lions after signing a two-year contract worth $27.25 million prior to the 2024 season.
Since arriving in Detroit, his responsibilities have stayed largely the same: control the interior, clog running lanes, and do the unglamorous work that allows others to shine.
During the 2024 season, Reader appeared in 15 games, starting each one.
He finished the year with 23 total tackles, four stops for loss, three sacks, eight quarterback pressures, and a deflection. In the current campaign, he has once again been a constant presence, starting all 16 games and tallying 28 tackles along with four quarterback hits for a Lions team that finished 8–8.
A Proven Veteran Track Record
Reader entered the league as a fifth-round pick (No. 166 overall) by the Houston Texans in the 2016 NFL Draft.
He spent his first four seasons there before moving on to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played from 2020 through 2023. His move to Detroit marked the next phase of a career built on consistency and toughness in the trenches.
Over the course of 10 NFL seasons, Reader has played in 136 games and made 127 starts. His career totals include 328 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks, along with 56 quarterback hits, nine pass breakups, three recovered fumbles, and one forced fumble — numbers that reflect his impact even when it doesn’t always show up prominently on stat sheets.
Looking Ahead
With Detroit facing several upcoming roster and salary-cap decisions, Reader’s future remains undecided. Still, his dependable play has earned recognition, as he has recently been listed among notable names to watch as potential free agents heading into the 2026 offseason.
Whether he ultimately remains in Detroit or begins a new chapter elsewhere, Reader’s reputation as a durable, physical, and reliable defensive tackle all but guarantees interest once free agency arrives.
