How it looks right now

[Essex Johnson]

(03-13-2024, 11:17 AM)Jpoore Wrote: Bengals are in dire straits right now…. If they don’t resign dj reader which is looking increasing unlikely if they let him get on that plane to Detroit, we have really no starting level DT options. Bj hill is decent, but who outside of him? gotta resign dj reader, and if they don’t I believe they resign Jonah and double dip at DT in draft. We can’t afford to lose reader though. That deal needs to happen.

Joe goodberry thoughts below

How in reading the DJ Reader situation:

The Bengals aren't offering as good of a contract as the Detroit Lions are.

Reader is heading to Detroit for a visit because they want to see how his recovery looks.

If everything looks right and on track, DJ Reader will accept the contract and be a Detroit Lion.

The Bengals have a chance to match/exceed that offer before Thursday, but I get the feeling that they have already decided and given their final offer and it is not good enough.

We move onto other defensive tackles now.

Remember how Bengals were bad on giving those 3rd contracts and did not work out well.. Atkins comes to mind, signed a 4 year deal in 2018 had one good year on that contract, pretty much done in 2020... Reader had a major injury and has missed a good amount of games 2020 and 2022.. not sure they want to give him a 3rd contract