After the first 48 hours of free agency, a segment of the Detroit Lions‘ fanbase became quite anxious due to the perceived lack of a “splash” signing in free agency. After a stellar 2023 season, many expected Detroit to bolster the secondary and the defensive line. Despite general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell expressing the organization would be taking a calculated approach, several supporters expressed frustration that the team did not do enough to improve the team. Adding D.J. Reader gives Detroit a stout run defender, plus gives Alim McNeill additional help this upcoming season. The 29-year-old was excelling on the football field prior to his season-ending quad tear. In 2023, Reader played 535 snaps, and posted an 82.2 PFF grade. He finished with 34 tackles and one
While there are question marks regarding the former Bengal’s health status, Detroit’s front office must have felt comfortable. The team offered him a two-year contract that could be worth north of $27 million. Reader commented all throughout his recovery about the vast hurdles and challenges that accompanied coming back from a severe injury. Several years ago, Reader also went through a similar rehabilitation process, as he tore his left quad in 2020. “Going in and out of rehab all the time and always spending your time doing that process is tough,” Reader expressed, when asked about the potential of retirement after being injured. “It can get mentally taxing. But, in my head, I just feel like I got a lot of good ball left in me. Felt like this was one of my better years. I don’t really want to end it that way.”
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