Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions.
Getty
A former $53 million Detroit Lions player is garnering interest from a rival team who could sign him soon for the 2026-27 season.
The Detroit Lions haven’t been quiet during the NFL offseason, and it seems not a day goes by without news of a new signing, such as the action that went down on Wednesday, March 18, when the team officially inked linebacker Damone Clark. But, the Lions also let players walk in free agency, and one may end up at a rival team soon.
Of course, it’s impossible to keep every player heading into a new season. As players’ contracts expire, they get more expensive, and teams, including the Detroit Lions, have to worry about cap space. Following the Lions restructuring quarterback Jared Goff’s contract, the team has roughly $35 million in salary cap space heading into the 2026-27 season, according to research from Over the Cap, but that number changes every time they sign a player.
After the Lions’ last game of the 2025-26 season against the Chicago Bears, Lions head coach Dan Campbell talked about the team and the chemistry that they had during the season. He wants to retain that going into the 2026-27 season, but changes have to be made.
“The guys that I knew we could count on showed up again, you know, one more time, which didn’t surprise me one bit,” he told reporters. “You know, I still believe the nucleus of this team is right. I really do.”
He added, “But we are going to need to make a few changes. Not just talking about that. It will be collectively. We’re going to have to work through some things to get the best version of ourselves.”
Detroit Lions Sent 1 Player Packing Who May End Up With Rival Franchise
When the NFL free agency period officially started on Wednesday, March 11, the Detroit Lions sent defensive tackle DJ Reader packing. His original contract was a four-year, $53 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals signed in March 2020, but he came over to the Lions in 2024, signing a two-year, $27.25 million deal.
When Reader’s deal was over, the Lions let him walk. Now, the Dallas Cowboys may be interested in the seasoned player.
In a piece out on Wednesday, March 18, for CBS Sports, Garrett Podell lays out a bevy of free agents that the Dallas Cowboys should scoop up. One is 31-year-old Reader.
Detroit Lions May See Former Player Again, But on a Different Team
“The Cowboys now have a sudden need for depth at defensive tackle behind All-Pro Quinnen Williams and three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark after trading away both Odighizuwa and Thomas. Reader is a steady veteran who started all 17 games for the Lions last season,” Podell notes in the piece. “At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, he could certainly fit on the interior of Parker’s reworked Dallas defensive line.”
As a Detroit Lions player, Reader started in 32 games and notched 51 total tackles, four TFLs, 12 quarterback hits and three sacks. Based on Pro Football Focus research, Reader was a strong player but not the best in the league.
Reader was a guest on the March 9 episode of “Up & Adams” hosted by Kay Adams, and on the show, he was asked if he contacted general manager Brad Holmes. He said no, adding, “I feel like you give away any negotiated power if you’re the one reaching out, trying to see.”