Back in 2024, the Detroit Lions got one of their biggest fish in the free agency pool. The team was coming off a 2023 campaign that saw them a half-game away from appearing in their first-ever Super Bowl.
They needed help on the defensive line, and with that, they turned to veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader. Reader signed a two-year deal for $27.25 million and was coming off a torn quad, his second time dealing with the injury. Despite that, Reader only missed the opening week due to the quad injury and one other game that season. In 2025, Reader came in healthy, and the team relied on him to mentor rookie defensive tackle Tyliek Williams.
Let’s take a look at Reader and see whether the team can afford to bring him back or find a cheaper replacement.
Previous Lions free agent profiles: LB Malcolm Rodriguez, DB Avonte Maddox
DJ Reader
With defensive tackle Alim McNeill out for a few months recovering from his ACL tear, Reader was expected to lead the interior defensive line alongside Williams and others. While most of the focus was on the EDGE spot on the defensive line, the interior didn’t feel as much pressure, even with a rookie starting. Even without McNeill, they knew Reader could help out on the interior by shutting down the running game and giving others chances to make plays by commanding double teams.
Reader didn’t face much competition for a starting role alongside first-round pick Williams. Roy Lopez was signed in free agency as a depth nose tackle option, while Mekhi Wingo, Tyler Lacy, and Chris Smith were clear depth options. The biggest thing the team wanted was for Reader to play a full season, something he hasn’t done since 2018.
Actual role in 2025
Note: PFF grades reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position.
Season stats — 17 games (17 starts): 28 tackles
583 defensive snaps, 14 special teams snaps
PFF defensive grade: 68.5 (36th out of 142)
PFF run defense grade: 61.7 (35th out of 146)
PFF tackling grade: 59.8 (35th out of 142)
PFF pass rush grade: 71.8 (23rd out of 122)
PFF special teams grade: 60
While Reader was able to play in every game in 2025, his presence on the field didn’t seem as impactful as it had been the year before. In 2024, Reader produced three sacks, four tackles for loss, and a pass deflection, all with fewer tackles than this year.
Which is an odd feeling because when the team signed him, coming off an injury, it was unclear how helpful he would be until he was 100 percent. Then, even when he was healthy, could he benefit from the attention EDGE Aidan Hutchinson was getting alongside McNeill? I figured that when McNeill was out, Reader would get more attention and be shut down, and for the most part, it seemed true. When McNeill returned, though, Reader didn’t seem to turn it up another level. He wasn’t sloppy by missing tackles or getting called for poor penalties; it just felt like he was a body out there just doing what he could and nothing more.
Now, I’m not trying to question his work ethic or accuse him of phoning it in; I just didn’t see any explosiveness from him in 2025. His PFF grades improved in every category listed above except run defense (only down 0.9) and special teams. So to see his grades see a bump up, but his production go down is a bit puzzling. His backup in Lopez impacted the games at times, whether it was a tackle for loss or a sack, unlike Reader.
Outlook for 2026
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Pros of re-signing
Having Reader return would give the team some help on the interior and could be shifted from a starter (if the team believes Williams is ready to start alongside McNeill) to a rotational piece and/or a situational nose tackle on short down and distances. He can help Williams more on the practice field, and if the team adds another young player on the interior, he can give them some tips and tricks.
Reader is also a really good dude who helps out in the community, and having Lions players out there taking care of people around them is just good to see. He doesn’t bring any drama or cause any harm, and at 31 going on 32, he could be more open to a step down in a role.
Cons of re-signing
His price tag is the biggest con if the team wants to bring him back. If he still wants to start, he will want starter-level money, even if it’s less than what he signed for back in 2024. Him returning also wouldn’t bode well for Williams development in his second-year. A first-round pick should have an immediate impact on your roster, and if he can’t win a starting job in year 2, you start to question if he can earn it in year 3.
Is there interest from both sides?
The Lions could look to get younger on the defensive line, and moving on from Reader would help them in that regard. If the Lions aren’t interested in keeping Reader, even in a backup/situational role, then he’ll have to move on. The biggest question of them all is, how does Reader see his playing future in the NFL?
Does he believe he is a starter? If so, and the Lions agree, what could be a big factor in his return is the cost.
If Reader is ready to downgrade his role and be a rotational piece instead, and the Lions would like him back, I think he re-signs on a one-year deal. Reader has been a good player for the team on and off the field, so I truly believe the only thing that can separate these two is money, age, and playing time.
Cost?
According to Spotrac, Reader is valued at $3.9 million for a one-year deal, with his best deal being a two-year $7.7 million deal. If he is asking for a two-year deal, I think Detroit passes and looks elsewhere. He will be 32 in July and near the end of his career. A one-year deal makes sense for both sides, but I don’t agree that his value would be $3.9 million. While his price will be a big step down from his 2024 contract, I think someone would be willing to pay $5-7 million for a one-year deal, and Detroit should pass on that. The max I would be interested in offering Reader is $3.5 million, but that seems like a low offer for what he’s worth.
Conclusion
Overall, I think it might be best for both sides to move on from each other. Reader probably values himself higher than what Detroit does, and coming off a fully healthy season, I think he’ll still want to be a starter and be paid as such, which is completely understandable. Reader is a solid player, but I think this team wants to get younger, and if Reader returns, what does that mean for Williams? I would hope it means Reader has accepted being a rotational piece instead of a starter.
What do you think the Lions should do with DJ Reader? Vote in the poll below and let us know in the comments.
[Editor’s Note: Working on getting the poll up. Please come back at a later date to cast your vote.]
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