Cole Bambini

Detroit Lions defensive linemanDJ Readerfeels this offseason has been one of his healthiest.

Last offseason he was rehabbing from surgery for a December 2023 torn right quad tendon injury, causing him to miss the season opener vs. the Rams. In 2022, he suffered a knee injury where he missed six games, and the effects lingered into the 2023 offseason. He's enjoyed getting into a better routine at the Meijer Performance Center, and entering his 10th season, he knows how important that is.

"It was probably my healthiest offseason in a minute," Reader said. "I haven't had to get cut open or anything happen. I think just sticking to the routine of just working. Knowing that I can explore a couple of different things this year with being healthy. When you're in that rehab phase, you're just rushing back.

"Old dogs got to learn new tricks. You might have your routine, but you got to learn something new to figure out to stay around."

Reader's entering his second season with Detroit after signing a two-year deal in March 2024. Last season he produced 23 tackles (11 solo), eight quarterback hits and three sacks, which were the most sacks he's notched in a single season in his career.

Feeling fully healthy, he's currently partaking in the Lions' offseason workout program. With fellow defensive tackleAlim McNeillrecovering from a torn ACL that might keep him out until midway through the season, Reader will be the veteran presence in the interior of Detroit's defensive line.

He's also got a couple new faces in the room in first-round draft pickTyleik Williamsand defensive line coach/run game coordinator Kacy Rodgers. Reader's excited about working with them and explained the importance of being in the facility during the voluntary workouts.

"Honestly, I just think it's important when you got new things and new people around just for them to see your face. I'm not saying you got to be here every day doing it, but for them to see your face, know who you are," Reader said.

Reader's been impressed with Williams so far. The two sit beside each other in position group meetings, and Reader has enjoyed listening to Williams' answers to questions. Williams is soft-spoken, but Reader can tell he's invested in the game plan.

"He's really, really smart. He picks up the playbook really well. Can't wait to see him moving around, just see what's going on. I watched a little bit of him at Ohio State and was just really impressed with his game," Reader said.

Rodgers, who was hired earlier in the offseason, came from Tampa Bay for anew challenge to broaden his coaching skillsetworking with the Lions' d-line. Reader has some familiarity with Rodgers as Reader's college coach at Clemson, Marion Hobby, who also coached him at the Bengals, is super close with Rodgers.

With the familiarity between Hobby and Rodgers, it's made a seamless transition for Reader, who's appreciated Rodgers' coaching style because of his honesty.

"It's like having a mirror and brother of Hobby over here coaching me," Reader said of Rodgers. "He's a teacher, wants to make sure you know every detail of what he wants you to do before he's asking you to do it.

"For a player like me, that helps a lot because you know what you can do within the system and what you can't do. It doesn't create much of a gray area for you."

Reader's expecting a smooth transition. There's some new teammates in Williams andRoy Lopez, but plenty of returning vets in McNeill, Pat O'Connor andLevi Onwuzurike. He's confident in the group and feels the mixture of new and returning players allows for better dialogue among the d-line room.

Entering Year 10, all that's left for Reader is a Lombardi Trophy. He fell short when the Bengals lost to the Rams in Super LVI in 2022, and despite a lengthy career so far, it's the one thing missing for him.

"All that really matters to me is just winning one and whatever way and whatever part of a team I could be and whatever help I can do to this team to help win, that's my main focus," Reader said.

"Winning two (NFL North titles) back-to-back, the work's proven. So we know if we put it in, if we trust our coaches, if we do what we're supposed to do, then we're going to be where we want to be."