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.<\/p>\n
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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at Reader and see whether the team can afford to bring him back or find a cheaper replacement.<\/p>\n Previous Lions free agent profiles: LB Malcolm Rodriguez<\/a>, DB Avonte Maddox<\/a><\/p>\n Expectations heading into 2025<\/p>\n 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Reader didn\u2019t 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\u2019t done since 2018.<\/p>\n Note: PFF grades reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position.<\/p>\n Season stats \u2014 17 games (17 starts): 28 tackles PFF defensive grade: 68.5 (36th out of 142) While Reader was able to play in every game in 2025, his presence on the field didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t seem to turn it up another level. He wasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Now, I\u2019m not trying to question his work ethic or accuse him of phoning it in; I just didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Contract status: Unrestricted free agent<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Reader is also a really good dude who helps out in the community<\/a>, and having Lions players out there taking care of people around them is just good to see. He doesn\u2019t bring any drama or cause any harm, and at 31 going on 32,<\/a> he could be more open to a step down in a role.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s less than what he signed for back in 2024. Him returning also wouldn\u2019t 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\u2019t win a starting job in year 2, you start to question if he can earn it in year 3.<\/p>\n Is there interest from both sides?<\/p>\n 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\u2019t interested in keeping Reader, even in a backup\/situational role, then he\u2019ll have to move on. The biggest question of them all is, how does Reader see his playing future in the NFL?<\/p>\n 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.
583 defensive snaps, 14 special teams snaps<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n