ALLEN PARK — D.J. Reed saw the same things as everyone else.
The veteran cornerback, signed to a three-year contract this offseason, watched the [Detroit Lions](https://detroitnews.sports.gracenote.com/football/nfl/team/1) lay waste to a number of their opponents in 2024. He noticed their dominance with Aidan Hutchinson on the field through the season’s first 4.5 games, and he took note of their continued success after Hutchinson, along with a number of other defensive starters and contributors, went down with significant injuries.
“When Hutch was playing, I thought they were going to the Super Bowl,” Reed said at organized team activities (OTAs) recently. “Even when he got hurt and they still were playing well, I thought they were going to win the Super Bowl.”
Now, Reed, 28, is a member of the Lions, hoping to push them over the top after last season’s early exit from the playoffs. His on-field talent earned him the $48 million (about $31 million guaranteed) it took to lure him away from other potential destinations — the Washington Commanders were in contention for his services — but he’s hoping his off-field abilities can help bring some of Detroit’s young cornerbacks along, making the goal of winning a championship that much more attainable.
“I think I bring veteran leadership to the (defensive back) room, especially with what we play,” said Reed, who is joining a Lions defense that’s been a man-heavy unit over the last few seasons. “I think that I could just help guys with reading quick game, reading five-step, understanding what offenses are trying to attack in our defense. And just leadership, as far as how I take care of my body, what it means to be a pro on a day-to-day basis — I think things like that.”
Reed, however, knows he’s still the new guy, and being a rah-rah voice isn’t his style.
“I’m more of a kind of a show what I do, and if you pick off it or if you’ve got questions, I got you,” Reed explained. “I’m new here, so I’m not just gonna come here and just tell people what works.”
Team success has escaped Reed for much of his career, especially lately. He reached the postseason with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 and Seattle Seahawks in 2020, but he hasn’t experienced more than seven victories in a season since. The New York Jets posted consecutive seven-win campaigns in his first two years with the team, and, despite solid performances from Reed and fellow cornerback Ahmed “Sauce” Gardner, they won just five games last season. They were 3-8 at the bye week, and their playoff hopes were all but dashed before the end of October.
That’s why Reed is thankful to join the Lions, a back-to-back division winner with hopes of winning Super Bowl LX.
“Just being here, I’ve felt a lot of gratitude,” Reed said, when asked how his time with the Jets prepared him for his tenure with the Lions. “I needed to go through what I went through in New York, and I’m grateful that I went through it.”
Reed also honed his skills in coverage, playing 489 snaps in man coverage with the Jets. He saw 156 of those reps last season, the 35th most among all cornerbacks in the league. Terrion Arnold led the NFL (325) — Arnold had 57 more man-coverage snaps than the next closest cornerback (Brandon Stephens, 269), illustrating just how much responsibility was put on his plate as a rookie — and Carlton Davis III, who Reed is replacing, received 209 (12th most). Nickel cornerback Amik Robertson had 245 (fourth).
“I played with a lot of great guys, was coached by great coaches,” Reed said of being in New York. “I’m definitely grateful for the time I was there. I definitely got better, especially as far as pressing because we played a lot of man in New York compared to when I was in Seattle, so I definitely added more to my toolbox when I was in New York. I’m grateful for that.”