Cincinnati Bengals
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A former member of the Bengals visited with the division rival Ravens
The Cincinnati Bengals have prioritized their defense with their offseason moves. So far the team has signed safetyBryan Cook to a three-year, $40.2 million contract, improved their pass rush as they signed Super Bowl champion edge defenderBoye Mafe to a $60 million contract,and added a veteran presence as they signed two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jonathan Allen to a two-year $25 million contract.
The first two moves made sense, as the team allowed safety Geno Stone to walk in free agency, and All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson departed as well. Despite the team needing an interior defensive lineman, Jonathan Allen was seen as somewhat of a headscratching signing since his play has declined these past few seasons.
A move that could have made sense for the Bengals was reuniting with former Cincinnati defensive lineman D.J. Reader, who is a free agent. Prior to free agency, many linked Reader back to Cincinnati, so much so that he was even asked about the idea of returning to the Bengals.Reader replied, “I’ve always thought it was a pretty special place to be… If the opportunity comes up, I’d have to weigh my options.”
However, Reader’s free agency has now taken a turn as he may soon be joining a former Bengals pass rusher on a division rival team.
Former Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Lineman Visits Ravens
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that Reader visited the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens as he continues weighing his options in free agency.
The Ravens already added former Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro Trey Hendrickson this free agency period, as they signed him to a four-year, $112 million contract. Pairing him alongside Reader would be a bitter pill to swallow for Bengals fans.
Alongside Hendrickson, D.J. Reader was an integral part of the Bengals’ defense that helped them make two deep playoff runs. In four seasons with the Bengals, Reader started 44 regular season games and seven playoff games. Following the 2023 season, Reader left as a free agent and signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Detroit Lions.
Regarding the Bengals’ defense since Reader left,Sports Illustrated’s James Rapien said,“The Bengals’ defense hasn’t been the same since Reader left in free agency following the 2023 season. He spent the past two years with the Lions.”
Bengals Defense
Unfortunately with this news, it seems that the chances of Reader reuniting with the Bengals are slim.USA Today’s Chris Roling wrote:
“Back before NFL free agency started, Reader seemed like a guy who could come back and provide some of that veteran leadership Bengals coaches have openly talked about needing to add for the defense.
That, paired with nice cap savings if the Bengals cut run-stuffer TJ Slaton, seemed to make the idea a real possibility.
And who knows? Maybe things change and it still happens at a later date. But Slaton doesn’t look like a cut candidate right now and the arrival of Jonathan Allen (more of a pass-rusher on the interior) brings that much-needed leadership.”