When a team's season ends in disappointment, it can be tempting to tear up the foundation and start from scratch. As frustrating as this year has been for the Detroit Lions, they aren't anywhere close to needing a full rebuild.
This roster already has most of the pieces necessary to return to Super Bowl contention. General manager Brad Holmes just needs to find a way to keep them all together while adding the finishing touches in the offseason.
That starts with bringing back interior defensive lineman D.J. Reader. The veteran has been a fixture in Detroit's front since arriving in 2024.
With a relatively low price tag attached to him, signing Reader to a new contract should be a no-brainer for the Lions.
Lions must bring back D.J. Reader before another team takes him away
At the age of 31, Reader may be nearing the end of his career. It's on Holmes to ensure that the veteran finishes his time in the NFL with the Lions. His contract is set to expire in the offseason, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Spotrac estimates that his market value would hover around $3.9 million per year. While Detroit's cap space in 2026 is fairly limited, bringing the defensive tackle back is the obvious decision.
Reader's numbers don't jump off the stat sheet. He isn't the type of player to single-handedly wreck an offense's game plan or shut down an elite quarterback. This season, he has zero sacks and just 28 tackles to his name despite playing in 16 games.
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His work is quieter, but still incredibly important to Detroit's defensive system. His physicality and strength in the middle of the defensive line often cause offenses to dedicate two blockers to him. He is able to anchor into a spot like few other players in the NFL, limiting the gaps available for opposing ball carriers to run through.
The interior combination of Reader and Alim McNiel has become a staple of Detroit's defense. If they let the veteran walk in the offseason, they'll risk losing one of the most important players on their team. Yes, they drafted Tyleik Williams last offseason, but the rookie still has some developing to do before he's ready to fill in for Reader on a full-time basis.
The wise move would be to sign Reader to a one-year deal and let Williams fully take over in the 2027 season.