DJ Reader was ‘little bit’ surprised by leaving Bengals for Lions

The Cincinnati Bengals lost DJ Reader to free agency despite making a push to keep one of the best nose tackles in football.

Reader, though, admitted after signing with the Detroit Lions that he was surprised by how things unfolded during his exit.

“But you know, things happen,” Reader said, per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “Sometimes things don’t work out in relationships and you gotta move and on to a better opportunity that I’m really excited about.”

Reader said that the change of scenery registered as a surprise, at least in part, because there is always a positive expectation that things will work out.

Outsiders probably won’t get more details about the rift between the Bengals and Reader, though it’s safe to presume that some of it focused on the torn quad that ended his season.

For the Bengals, they moved on to Sheldon Rankins after winning a bidding war to get him in free agency, though that nose tackle spot remains vacant.

Reader posted the following message to fans after he signed in Detroit:

Cincy it’ll always be love!! I truly appreciate you guys to the fullest. In a time when the world was falling apart you gave me a home! We grew together and made that home better. Much love #98

— Dj Reader (@Djread98) March 15, 2024