The Bengals have officially signed D.J. Reader, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The two sides agreed to a deal weeks ago, but the pandemic threw a wrench into their plans. 
The deal, at long last, is done after Reader agreed to additional language that has been popping up more and more as of late. In essence, Reader’s deal is done, though he still must pass a physical in order for the deal to take effect. If he doesn’t pass, the Bengals will have the option of cutting him immediately or keeping the contract as-is. It adds an extra layer of protection for the Bengals, of course, but also ensures that Reader will not be left in a holding pattern.
As previously reported, Reader’s four-deal is set to pay him $53MM with a favorable cash flow. He’ll get $22.25MM in Year 1 and $31.75MM over the first two years of the contract. It’s a big commitment, but the Bengals believe that it’s a worthwhile one – Reader is fantastic against the run and he’ll be downright scary when lined up next to Geno Atkins on the interior line.
“I know we’re in a good spot with the mix of young and experienced players that know what they’re doing. You’ve got guys like Geno and Carlos Dunlap that have played a lot of ball,” Reader told the team website recently. “They’re great leaders and everybody in the back end. And we’ve got some new guys coming in now. It’s a revamped team, but a lot of their standard pieces are in place. It wasn’t like you needed that much to come. You’ve got young guys like (right end) Sam Hubbard, the receivers are good. Running back Joe Mixon is good; the offensive line is good and has a lot of guys that have been there. I knew the record didn’t reflect what the team had last year.”
The Broncos, Bills, and Titans were among the clubs looking at Reader last month. Ultimately, the Bengals came out on top to land one of the league’s best young 3-4 NTs.
Great pickup. They will be fighting for that #7 spot mark my word.
If the can snag a lb or another o lineman round 2-3 and burrow is as advertised they should be right behind the ravens in the division.
The O-line is good? Who the F is this guy trying to fool?
Yeah, he had me until that. I think he’s just trying to be a leader. He’s going to be making them look silly in practice, so it’s a good idea for him to keep their confidence up.
Geno Atkins is a steady blue collar guy who never gets the respect he deserves but both he and Dunlap are on the wrong side of 30 now. Burrows offers hope but it will still be a while before the Bengals find their way out of the wilderness.
This will make team a formidable defense 4 sure..
Esp with big Wren in the fold now and Hubbard coming into his own and Lawson is finally healthy…We are going to be tough on DEFENSE..
OFFENSIVELY IF BURROW PICKS UP PRO GAME FAST .. ICAN SEE US BEING A WILD CARD THIS YEAR..
All the weapons are there,and if Taylor go O-line in 2nd round and pick N.F.L ready day one starting OLINEMAN to add more dept and competition to O-line spots..
And go HYBRED LBer in 3rd, I would say on record right now ,We will be a top Ten DEFENSE..And who knows how good we will be on offense Esp if Green and Ross and Boyd can stay healthy all year with Mixon and Gio…This offense will give any defense unit nightmares…