The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to try to re-sign great nose tackle D.J. Reader, but they suddenly face competition.
According to Malik Wright of TWSN, the Detroit Lions have “serious interest” in signing the 29-year-old veteran.
Last year, the defensive tackle was his usual exceptional self. Last season, he received a Pro Football Focus grade of 82.2, ranking him 11th among 130 interior defensive lineman. He finished with 34 tackles, including 20 solo tackles, one sack, one pass defense, and four stuffs.
However, Reader is still rehabbing from a ruptured quad that he suffered in Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings. He may not be ready to go at the start of training camp, and there will most likely be some doubts about his ability to return completely.
Nonetheless, Reader is a large, powerful, and effective component for the heart of any defense. As a result, he’ll almost certainly receive substantial offers.
If the Bengals were expecting to sign him to a cheap one-year contract, they may no longer have that option.
