One of the more notable departures for the New York Jets this offseason was cornerback D.J. Reed, who had formed a dynamic duo alongside Sauce Gardner in the defensive backfield. Together, they anchored a top-tier secondary in the league.
Reed has since moved on to the Detroit Lions, inking a three-year agreement worth $48 million. While his exit wasn’t entirely unexpected — especially given New York’s cap situation — the specifics of his new deal caught some observers off guard.
Despite projections that Reed might command a contract in the $50 million-plus range, Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano pointed out that his actual deal represents one of the better bargains of the offseason. Manzano compared Reed’s contract to those of Carlton Davis III and Charvarius Ward, both of whom secured three-year, $60 million deals. According to him, Reed may have been undervalued due to perceptions that his performance was boosted by playing alongside Gardner.
Still, even if Reed is viewed more as a secondary corner than a primary shutdown defender, Manzano believes he has the potential to outperform both Davis and Ward—thanks largely to the strong support system in Detroit. The Lions boast talents like Brian Branch, who adds versatility and stability in the secondary, as well as young corners Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who could make significant strides after tough rookie campaigns.
Detroit’s decision to move on from Davis, who struggled in their man-coverage-heavy scheme, in favor of Reed appears to be a savvy one — especially with Reed coming at a lower average annual salary by $4 million.
Meanwhile, the Jets have brought in Brandon Stephens to take over Reed’s role, though his contract has not been met with the same enthusiasm.
During his stint in New York, Reed made 46 starts, notching two interceptions, 32 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and 220 total tackles. Seven of those tackles were behind the line of scrimmage, including one sack. Now in Detroit, he’ll be part of a defense that has emerged as one of the NFL’s most formidable units over the past couple of seasons.
