Report: Bengals’ deal with D.J. Reader is official, including additional language

The Cincinnati Bengals have reportedly wrapped up the monster deal with defensive lineman D.J. Reader, though it includes some additional wrinkles to compensate for these trying times.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Reader deal compensates for his inability to get a physical thanks to the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.

This is probably standard operating procedure for teams right now. Some teams might not mind a physical happening with a third party close to the players. Others might want these standard items to happen with team doctors.

Either way, Rapoport notes Reader will get $22.25 million in Year 1 on what is a heavily frontloaded deal. It’s safe to presume other free-agent agreements for the Bengals will feature similar language.

Essentially, the language says the signed player still needs to pass the physical. If he doesn’t pass the physical, the team has a choice of either immediately releasing him or paying him and keeping the contract in place. This prevents a team from simply holding up the money. https://t.co/G22o3NxIir

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2020