Bengals trading for Dexter Lawrence has now helped out former player and hurts AFC North rival at the same time
Trading Dexter Lawrence has caused the New York Giants to add three defensive tackles to replace him, now including former Cincinnati Bengals DT DJ Reader.
The New York Giants have found their new nose tackle after trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals, and he’s a former Bengal himself.
New York is signing DJ Reader to a two-year, $12.5 million deal, per multiple reports.
DJ Reader becomes Dexter Lawrence’s replacement
Reader, who most recently played for the Detroit Lions, played four years in Cincinnati and was a two-time team captain. His four-year, $53 million contract from 2020 was the largest in Bengals history at the time.
It was even a topic of conversation for a reunion between Reader and Cincy earlier in the offseason. Things changed, dramatically, when Lawrence walked through the door at the cost of a first-round NFL Draft pick and an additional $28 million.
Reader is getting a quality pay day to help replace Lawrence in the Big Apple, and his decision also helps the Bengals out as well.
Reader chose Giants over Ravens
New York has been in on Reader for weeks, as were the Baltimore Ravens. Reader visited Baltimore all the way back in March just two weeks after the Ravens traded for his former teammate, Trey Hendrickson.
The Ravens ended up signing Calais Campbell at the defensive tackle position. Reader joining forces would’ve been a nuisance for Cincinnati this year. Instead, the 11th-year veteran is staying in the NFC where he’s been since 2024.
Lawrence requested his trade almost exactly a month ago, and the Bengals were in on it from the beginning. The blockbuster move has now led to the Giants signing three veteran DTs, with the third and most expensive being Reader.
It will take a village to replace Lawrence, which only validates Cincinnati giving up significant draft capital and money to acquire him.
Reader is a direct beneficiary of the move as he now will start for a club looking to elevate itself with a new head coach in John Harbaugh, and young quarterback in Jaxson Dart.
