Bengals sign D.J. reader, per report

THE BENGALS HAVE SIGNED A FREE AGENT BEFORE THE LEAGUE YEAR HAS BEGUN. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Per NFL Insider Aaron Wilson, the Bengals have signed defensive tackle D.J. Reader to a four-year, $53 million deal. This will make Reader the highest paid nose tackle in the league.

A fifth-round draft pick from the 2016 NFL Draft class, Reader began his career as a rotational player along the Houston Texans’ defensive front. He became a starter late in his rookie season and has been their starting nose tackle ever since.

Two above average seasons as a starter lead to a truly elite 2019 season, where he was Pro Football Focus’ fifth-highest graded interior defender. This was attributed to Reader’s increased effectiveness as a pass rusher, which was seen through his career-high 36 total pressures.

Being an absolute brick wall against the run is Reader’s calling card and that’s why he’s now the highest-paid A-gap defensive lineman in the NFL. He’ll operate next to Geno Atkins and can even be out there on third downs from time to time.

Reader’s average salary comes out to just over $13 million, which would put him just behind Carlos Dunlap for the fifth-highest AAV on the team. The important figure is the guaranteed money, which has yet to be announced.

For now, the Bengals have struck a deal with one of the very best free agents available, and he can’t wait to be here.