Reports: Giants sign DT DJ Reader to two-year deal

Field Level Media|published: Tue 5th May, 16:22 2026

Nov 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader is signing a two-year deal with the New York Giants, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.

The contract is reportedly worth $12.5 million, but can escalate to $15.5 if the 10-year veteran reaches incentives.

Reader started all 17 games last season with the Detroit Lions. He had 28 total tackles and four quarterback hits during his second season in Detroit.

A 2016 fifth-round draft pick by Houston, the former Clemson standout spent four seasons with the Texans (2016-2020) and four with the Cincinnati Bengals (2021-24).

Reader, 32, has played in at least 14 games in seven of his 10 seasons. In 137 games (128 starts), he has 328 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks.

The Giants traded three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Lawrence followed Reader as a defensive tackle at Clemson, playing for Dabo Sweeney from 2016-18.

--Field Level Media

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