The Houston Texans officially need help at defensive tackle.
The Cincinnati Bengals were willing to give D.J. Reader the contract he desired, as it was announced via multiple reports that the AFC North club agreed to a four-year contract worth $53 million.
That was too rich for the Texans’ blood, and the new deal will make Reader the highest-paid nose tackle in the game.
“I’m super excited, just really excited to get out there,” Reader said via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “They’ve got good things going. They had a rough year. Hopefully, I can be one of those pieces for them.”
Reader was a Pro Bowl alternate for the Texans. Though his 52 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 13 quarterback hits in 15 games weren’t good enough to land a spot in the NFL’s annual all-star game, it was good enough to demonstrate his value to the open market.
The former 2016 fifth-round pick from Clemson will have a chance to face his original draft team at NRG Stadium at some point in the 2020 NFL season.
