D. J. Reader is an American football nose tackle for the Detroit Lions as of the 2024 NFL season. The Houston Texans drafted him in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans in the NFL. In his debut season, he started seven games and recorded one sack, seven solo tackles, and fifteen assisted tackles. Before being placed on injured reserve, he started the first 14 games after taking Vince Wilfork's spot as the starting nose tackle in 2017. He had his first multi-sack performance with two sacks on Tom Brady in 2018. In 2020, he signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals and was later placed on injured reserve in October. He was selected as the Bengals' starting nose tackle in 2021 and concluded the season with 43 tackles and two sacks. He was named the team's starting nose tackle in 2023, marking his third consecutive season in the role.
Reader was born on July 1, 1994, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He went to Grimsley High School and then attended Clemson University. He finished his career with 145 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, and 24 quarterback pressures in 1,087 snaps over 46 games, including 10 starts (via the university's official website).
D.J. Reader Contract Breakdown
In March 2024, D. J. Reader and the Detroit Lions agreed to a two-year, $22,000,000 contract that included a $6,215,000 signing bonus (via Spotrac).
| Contract terms | Average Salary | Signing Bonus | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 yr(s) / $22,000,000 | $11,000,000 | $6,215,000 | $7,425,000 | $7,425,000 |
| Year | Status | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Roster Bonus | Roster/Gm Bonus | Workout Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap |
| 2024 | $1,210,000 | $1,243,000 | $2,100,000 | $550,000 | $200,000 | $5,303,000 | $7,425,000 | |
| POTENTIAL OUT: 2025, 1 YR, $10,275,000; $4,972,000 DEAD CAP | ||||||||
| 2025 | $6,290,000 | $1,243,000 | $4,000,000 | $510,000 | $200,000 | $12,243,000 | $4,972,000 | |
| 2026 | Void UFA | - | $1,243,000 | - | - | - | $3,729,000 | $3,729,000 |
| 2027 | Void | - | $1,243,000 | - | - | - | $1,243,000 | - |
| 2028 | Void | - | $1,243,000 | - | - | - | $1,243,000 | - |
D.J. Reader’s Salary
According to his contract with the Detriot Lions, D. J. Reader has an average salary of $11 million according to Spotrac. In 2024, Reader is set to earn a base salary of $1,210,000, a signing bonus of $6,215,000, a roster bonus of $2,100,000 and a workout bonus of $200,000, with a cap hit of $5,303,000 and a dead cap value of $7,425,000.
How much does D.J. Reader make per minute?
D. J. Reader makes $20.93 per minute in his two-year tenure with the Detroit Lions.
How much of D.J. Reader's Contract is guaranteed?
The whole amount mentioned in Reader, $7.4 million was guaranteed to Reader at the signing.
D.J. Reader Career Earnings
As of November 2024, Reader has earned approximately $67,074,664 in his NFL career earnings.
What are the terms of the D.J. Reader contract?
Reader's contract includes the terms mentioned below:
- $7.425M guaranteed (signing bonus + 2024 salary)
- 2024 Roster Bonus: $2.1M (guaranteed)
- 2025 Roster Bonus: $4M ( 3rd league day of 2025)
- 2024 Per Game Active Bonus: $61,764 ($1.05M)
- 2025 Per Game Active Bonus: $30,000 ($510,000)
- 2024 Playing Time Incentives (non-cumulative) 14 Games Active Incentive: $1.6M16 Games Active Incentive: $500,000
- 2024-2025 Incentives50% Snaps: $200,00055% Snaps: $300,00060% Snaps: $500,000
- 2024-2025 Sack Incentives (cumulative)3: $375,0005: $375,000
- 2025 Escalator50% Snaps: $200,00055% Snaps: $300,00060% Snaps: $500,0003 Sacks: $375,0005 Sacks: $375,000
D.J. Reader Contract History
Prior to this, he signed a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020. It included $16.23 M as a signing bonus.
| Contract terms | Average Salary | Signing Bonus | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 yr(s) / $53,000,000 | $13,250,000 | $16,250,000 | $20,250,000 | $20,250,000 |
In 2016, he signed a four-year rookie contract with the Houston Texans.
| Contract terms | Average Salary | Signing Bonus | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 yr(s) / $2,555,380 | $638,845 | $215,380 | $215,380 | $215,380 |
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FAQ's On D.J. Reader Contract
A. D. J. Reader plays nose tackle for the Detroit Lions.
A. D. J. Reader was born in North Carolina on July 1, 1994.
A. D. J. Reader signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions in 2024.
