DJ Reader

[CJD]

(12-18-2023, 12:05 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: It's his second major knee injury and he's aging - not to mention he's going to miss the majority of next season. Leacing emotion out of it, I just don't see a world where it makes sense to bring him back. 

Do we know that for a fact? He has almost 9 months until the next season starts. Does his injury definitely take longer than 9 months to recover? I'm not suggesting giving him top of the market money. But considering he's coming off of an injury, I wouldn't be surprised if he accepted a hometown discount and maybe a shorter 2 year contract just to re-establish his free agent value.

(12-18-2023, 01:23 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I agree with you that the team likely did want to keep DJ Reader around for another couple of seasons.  I think that it could still be possible, as he made a full and complete recovery from the same injury on the other leg a couple of years ago, and the front office does seem to value players who have been as instrumental to team success as Reader has.  Given the severity of the injury and his age is now a thing of significance, rather than a mega-deal with high amounts of guaranteed money, I could see the team offering him a contract a little more modest on the up front guarantees and loaded with playing time escalators.

However it works out, I'd just like to see Reader recover and play football again, even if it has to be with a team other than the Bengals.

Yea, I am worried this radically changes our plans. Lou's defense needs that disruptor in the middle of the defense so that he can play a little more fast and loose with his safeties. If we lose Reader, he may need to move Battle into the box a lot more often in 2024, and that will just make our penchant to give up explosive passing plays even worse!