The Detroit Lions open up their 2025 regular season schedule this Sunday when they take their show on the road to Lambeau Field for a matchup against the new-look Green Bay Packers.
With Green Bay being the talk of the NFL following the blockbuster trade that sent All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons to the franchise, the defending NFC North champions are flying under the radar more than anyone would have expected leading up to Week 1.
One veteran defender, in particular, has been a standout performer in the eyes of Lions head coach Dan Campbell during training camp and the preseason. This led to the former top draft pick being given his flowers by Detroit's leader on the sidelines during his time with the media on Tuesday, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN.
#Lions HC Dan Campbell says veteran DT DJ Reader has had a "quiet, kick a** camp" and expects him to fulfill a big role on the defense this season.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 2, 2025
Lions Veteran DT DJ Reader Flying Under the Radar Ahead of Week 1
After recording a career-best 3.0 sacks during his first season as a member of the Lions' roster, Campbell seems to expect veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader to continue to be a major factor as we enter the 2025 campaign.
Given that Campbell is not the type to give any player unwarranted praise, regardless of their spot on the depth chart, Reader has clearly made a major impression. With a healthy Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport as the bookends on the defensive line, and first-round pick Tyleik Williams joining Reader on the interior, it is going to be extremely difficult for opposing offensive fronts to contain these four as they look to wreak havoc on the quarterback.
That is an imposing defensive front before you even take into consideration that fifth-year defender Alim McNeil should return during the 2025 season as well from the ACL injury he suffered toward the end of 2024. If the Lions can have all of these defensive linemen healthy and producing at the same time, the rest of the NFL could be in big trouble.
With a new Lions defensive coordinator in Kelvin Sheppard, who is known for his aggressive approach to attacking the quarterback, Reader and the rest of these linemen are going to open up opportunities for defenders from every direction to make plays in the offensive backfield.
Assuming Reader keeps this level of play up, fans outside of the Motor City should become very familiar with the "quiet, kick a**," approach he brought to the field throughout training camp and the preseason.
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