Bengals Signing DT D.J. Reader To Four-Year, $53M Deal

Aaron Wilson reports that the Bengals are signing former Texans DT D.J. Reader to a four-year, $53 million deal. 

This contract makes Reader the highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL.

The Broncos were reportedly trying to close the deal with Reader, but this is a strong contract from the Bengals to pass up. 

Reader, 25, is a former fifth-round pick of the Texans back in 2016. He played out the final year of his four-year, $2.55 million contract with the Texans and is now in position to test the open market as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his NFL career.

In 2019, Reader appeared in 15 games for the Texans and recorded 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 7 interior defender out of 113 qualifying players.

We had him included in our Top 100 Available 2020 Free Agents list.