The Detroit Lions are expecting to be Super Bowl contenders in 2025. They are bringing back the bulk of the roster and look to mimic the success they had last year during the regular season.
They decided not to hold a mandatory minicamp this year but had various OTA practices run from May 28 to June 5. That was their last tune-up before training camp rolls around, but that was the last time some players will be at OTAs for Detroit.
While the 2025 season is at the forefront, DJ Reader is a player who likely won't be with the Lions after this season.
2025 Will Be DJ Reader’s Last Season in Detroit
Reader is heading into the final year of his two-year, $22 million deal with Detroit. In the 2024 season, he finished with 23 total tackles, four TFLs, and three sacks. According to PFF, Reader had a 65.4 overall grade (55th among 219 graded defensive linemen), 64.6 pass rush grade (63rd among 219 graded defensive linemen), and a 61 run defense grade (57th among 219 graded defensive linemen).
He will still have a role on this team in 2025, but the Lions already have two younger players at DT. McNeil suffered a torn ACL in December, but he inked a four-year, $97 million extension last October. In 61 games in Detroit, he had 137 total tackles, 22 TFLs, and 11.5 sacks. He will definitely be around for the long haul in the Motor City.
They also drafted DT Tyleik Williams in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. He was a dominant run-stuffer during his college days at Ohio State. Williams has outstanding play recognition skills to get off blocks and shut down the play. He still needs to develop more as a pass rusher, but Detroit is high on him.
Since Reader is heading into free agency next spring, the odds are Detroit won't look to bring him back, considering they have two replacements already in the rotation.