Defensive Tackle Market Growing, Could Impact DJ Reader's Future With Cincinnati Bengals

Will the Bengals keep Reader?

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Mar 10, 2024 10:29 AM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Chiefs agreed to a record-setting deal with star defensive tackle Chris Jones on Saturday night.

ESPN's Dan Graziano believes it could impact the market for interior defenders, including DJ Reader.

_{"After Chris Jones landed a big deal on Saturday night, Miami's Christian Wilkins is likely to be a hot name, with contending teams such as the Texans and Lions looking to upgrade at that position," Graziano wrote. "Other defensive tackles people around the league believe could land nice deals include the Colts' Grover Stewart, the Seahawks' Leonard Williams and Bengals run-stuffer DJ Reader. Jones' five-year deal and the four-year, $98 million deal the Ravens gave Madubuike on Friday night are only going to help the defensive tackles at the top of the market get paid."}

Reader is still recovering after suffering a torn quad tendon in December. The Bengals want to keep the veteran, but it sounds like there could be multiple teams vying for his services.

If the Bengals don't re-sign him, they could pivot to former Titans and Texans defensive tackle Teair Tart or former Dolphins defensive tackle Raekwon Davis. Stewart is another possibility

Reader will be 30 on July 1. He had 34 tackles and one sack in 13 games last season before getting injured in the Bengals' thrilling win over the Vikings at Paycor Stadium on Dec. 16.

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