The Detroit Lions are looking to thrive this season on defense with new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. The biggest question for the Lions' defensive unit entering the season is, most importantly, can it stay healthy? Also, what will the play calling be without former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn?
It's safe to say that Sheppard has high expectations in his first season as the Lions' defensive coordinator. To make sure that the former Lions linebackers coach succeeds in his first season as defensive coordinator, Detroit signed cornerback D.J. Reed this offseason to replace Carlton Davis III.
The Lions signed Reed to a three-year, $48 million contract after Davis left for the New England Patriots on a three-year, $60 million deal.
D.J. Reed's NFL Career
Throughout his seven-year career in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and New York Jets, Reed has recorded 414 total tackles, six interceptions, and two sacks. Reed has spent the last three years with the Jets, and in 2024, recorded 64 total tackles and a sack in 14 games played.
Reed is set to be a valuable addition to the Lions' secondary group that features Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Amik Robertson.
Sheppard has spoken very highly of Reed and his contributions to the Lions' defense heading into the 2025 season.
"He's mean everything to our defense," Sheppard said, "He's been a plug-and-play guy, not only on the field, but in the classroom, in the locker room. D.J. Reed, I can't say enough about him. I know that Hutch and Anzo were voted captains, but he would have easily been a guy that would have earned the right to wear that patch."
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Sheppard also credited Reed for his work ethic in preparation for the season, a quality that could benefit the Lions' defense.
"Everything he does is by his work. All you have to do is watch him," Sheppard said, "Watch his attentiveness in meetings. He asks me the most questions out of anybody. Sometimes he'll stop the tape and say, "Shep, I messed up right there." Just his level of accountabilty, the level of trust, not only myself but this unit has in him. And those guys follow him. So, it's been very good having D.J. here."
We'll see what impact Reed has on Sunday when the Lions open up the 2025 season at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.