Veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader isn’t returning to the Detroit Lions for the 2026 NFL season. But his new team will play a game at Ford Field in Detroit during the upcoming regular season slate.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Tuesday that Reader signed a free agency deal with the New York Giants.
The highly productive Reader had 51 tackles, 12 QB hits and 3 sacks during his two years in Detroit.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Reader’s contract with the Giants is a two-year, $12.5 million deal. With incentives, the defensive tackle can make up to $15.5 million.
Reader spent the past two seasons with the Lions. He started 32 games, registering 51 combined tackles, including four for loss, 12 quarterback hits and three sacks.
All three of his sacks came during 2024. That set a new single-season career high for the defensive tackle.
During 2025, Reader registered 28 combined tackles and four quarterback hits.
The defensive tackle, who will turn 32 years old in July, is entering his 11th NFL season. He began his career with the Houston Texans and has also played with the Cincinnati Bengals.
DJ Reader Inks Deal With New York Giants: Report
Pundits connected the veteran defensive tackle to a lot of different NFL teams this offseason. At one point, a Lions-Reader reunion seemed possible. At other times, pundits saw Reader as a candidate to stay in the NFC North with a division rival such as the Minnesota Vikings.
Ultimately, Reader went to another NFC team which is trying to replace recently traded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Despite being in his early thirties, Reader appears to have plenty still to offer. Last season, he played 583 defensive snaps, which was his most since 2021.
During 2021 with the Bengals, Reader had his best statistical season. He posted 43 combined tackles, including three for loss. Reader also had seven quarterback hits with two sacks in 15 games.
The Texans drafted Reader at No. 166 overall in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. After four years with the Texans, Reader joined the Bengals in NFL free agency.
The defensive tackle joined the Lions on a 2-year, $22 million deal during the 2024 offseason.
How Lions Replace Reader During 2026 NFL Season
Having Reader for a second season turned out to be a significant key for the Lions. The team’s promising young defensive tackle, Alim McNeill, suffered a serious injury at the end of 2024 and didn’t make his 2025 debut until Week 7.
Reader led the Lions interior defensive line until then and continued to play a crucial role after that.
But McNeill is fully healthy this offseason. The Lions also want to get 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams more snaps this fall.
Williams started 10 games as a rookie during 2025. He posted 18 combined tackles, including two for loss with three quarterback hits, four pass defenses and one sack. Williams played 446 defensive snaps in 17 contests.
Without Reader, McNeill and Williams will man the defensive line interior. The Lions also still have Levi Onwuzurike and Mekhi Wingo for additional depth. Pundits, though, have floated the idea that either one could be a cut candidate for Detroit this summer.
Late on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Lions added more interior defensive line depth with Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyre West. Detroit selected both in the seventh round.
Ex-Lions DT DJ Reader Signs $12.5 Deal With NFC Foe: Report