DJ Reader

[Whatever]

(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.

At this point, a cheap one year deal is probably best for both parties.  If I was DJ, I would want to stick with the medical staff that helped him recover from the same injury a few years prior.  The Bengals can simply PUP him and activate him for the playoff push when he gets healthy.  

They may look at resigning Tupou and drafting a NT.  I also wouldn't be surprised if Hill sees more time at NT on padding downs and they try some of Murphy at 3Tech in passing situations to get their 4 best pass rushers on the field.