Giants, DJ Reader reportedly agree to 2-year, $12.5M deal as DT signing spree continues after Dexter Lawrence trade
Reader finds a new home with the Giants, and he's the fourth defensive tackle the franchise has signed this offseason after trading Dexter Lawrence.
The New York Giants and defensive tackle DJ Reader are reportedly in agreement on a two-year deal with a base salary of $12. 5 million, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport . Reader is the fourth defensive tackle that the Giants have signed this offseason, following the trade of Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The veteran DT has been in the league since 2016. Reader was selected in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, where he spent four seasons before signing with the Bengals in free agency ahead of the 2020 season. After four years, he landed with the Detroit Lions the past two years.
Last year, Reader played in all 17 games and finished with 28 combined tackles, though he did not register a sack for just the third season in his career. The Giants opted to part ways with Lawrence ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, dealing him to the Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in a one-for-one swap.
They used the pick on Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, and also selected Ohio State edge Arvell Reese with their own pick at fifth overall. Lawrence wanted a new deal, and New York felt like it could get more from acquiring the first-round pick. The Giants have so far replaced Lawrence with the 31-year-old Reader, Sam Roberts, Leki Fotu and Shelby Harris.