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A former Bengals starter remains an NFL free agent

Unlike in years past, the Cincinnati Bengals were aggressive in upgrading the roster this offseason. 

They began by bolstering their secondary with former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, who the team signed to a three-year, $40.2 million contract. Then, they found a replacement for Trey Hendrickson as they signed former Seattle Seahawks pass rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract. As a final free agency move, the Bengals signed former Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jonathan Allen to bolster the interior and provide some valuable veteran leadership.

However, that all pales in comparison to the Bengals trading for three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence. Entering free agency, the team was expected to address the interior of the defensive line, but a trade as big as that one was certainly uncharacteristic for a Bengals franchise that is not known for blockbuster transactions. Another possibility that had been rumored for the defensive line, prior to the Bengals adding Lawrence, was a reunion with D.J. Reader, who remains a free agent.

Former Cincinnati Bengals Player Remains a Free Agent

D.J. Reader was an integral part of the Bengals’ defense that helped them make two deep playoff runs. In four seasons with the Bengals, Reader started 44 regular season games and seven playoff games. Following the 2023 season, Reader left as a free agent and signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Detroit Lions. Now, the veteran is once again a free agent.

Prior to the Bengals adding Lawrence, Ben Strauss wrote for ClutchPoints about a possible reunion. Strauss wrote:

“Perhaps the Bengals could reunite with a familiar face to round out their defensive line. Reader spent four seasons in Cincinnati after playing his rookie contract in Houston. He was a mainstay on Cincinnati’s defensive line during their Super Bowl run back in 2021.

Teams have shown interest in the veteran, as he has met with the New York Giants and the Bengals’ division rival Baltimore Ravens. Recently, there were reports that the Giants were planning on signing him; however, they most just signed defensive lineman Shelby Harris, which may impact the possibility of Reader going to New York.

Possibilities of a Bengals Reunion

After the additions of Lawrence and Allen, the possibilities of a reunion with D.J. Reader seems slim. If it were to happen, the Bengals would have one of the top interior defensive lines in the NFL. 

Previously, Fox Sports writer Greg Auman spoke about how Cincinnati would benefit from a reunion with Reader as he wrote: “The Bengals could use his presence up front after finishing dead last against the run and bottom three in points and yards allowed in 2025. In his prime with the Bengals, he was graded as a top-10 defensive lineman, and he’s not that anymore, but could still be a match in the $6 million range.”

Unfortunately, it is unlikely the Bengals will be willing to match Reader’s price, as the veteran who has totaled over $78 million in career earnings is still able to play at a higher level than a veteran-minimum contract would suggest. And, Cincinnati is the team with the fourth-least cap space in the NFL, according to OverTheCap.