Veteran Defensive Tackle DJ Reader Signs 2-Year Deal With New York Giants

When the New York Giants shipped Defensive Tackle Dexter Lawrence off to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick in the draft, a collective gasp echoed through the swamps of New Jersey. You don’t just trade away a human mountain without having a backup plan that weighs at least 320 pounds.

Fans were sweating. The front office was definitely sweating. But alas, Giants General Manager Joe Schoen had an ace up his sleeve. The New York Giants are officially finalizing a deal to bring veteran run-stuffer D.J. Reader to the “Big Apple.” Will he be a positive for the squad?

Why the Giants Desperately Needed Reader

When you trade away a generational talent like Lawrence, you leave a crater in the middle of your defense. Opposing running backs were probably already booking their fantasy football breakout parties against New York. The Giants knew they had zero leverage here. They needed a guy who could eat double teams for breakfast, and D.J. Reader fits that bill perfectly.

Reader took visits, fielded multiple offers, and watched as the Giants‘ desperation meter slowly ticked into the red zone. He played his cards right, and now, he’s cashing in while giving New York the exact type of defensive stability they were praying for.

Breaking Down Reader’s New Contract

According to reports from NFL Network, the two sides are hammering out the final details on a two-year, $12.5 million contract. And because Reader knew exactly how badly the Giants needed him, the deal includes some sweet upside incentives.

That is fantastic business by Reader and a totally fair market price for New York. At 31 years old, Reader is not going to give you 15 sacks a season, but he is going to make sure nobody runs up the gut on third-and-short. Getting a proven veteran for just over $6 million a year to plug the biggest hole on your roster is a win for a front office trying to retool on the fly.

What Reader Brings To the New York Defense

For those who haven’t watched a lot of trench warfare lately, let me paint a picture of what Reader brings to the table. Drafted in the fifth round back in 2016 by the Texans, he has carved out a beautiful career doing the dirty work. He secured a massive $53 million bag with the Bengals in 2020, and most recently spent 2025 starting all 17 games for a gritty Detroit Lions squad.

Now, he joins a revamped Giants defensive line that also added Shelby Harris and Leki Fotu after the draft. Is it the sexiest defensive line in the NFL? Maybe not. But with Reader anchoring the middle, it is a group that will punch you in the mouth and make you work for every single yard.

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