By Sunday 
Why the Lions’ culture has one veteran corner feeling like a kid again
For D.J. Reed, It’s All Clicking in Detroit
If you talk to D.J. Reed for more than five minutes, you quickly get the sense that something’s different this year — in the best way. The veteran cornerback, who signed a three-year deal with the Lions this offseason, is glowing when he talks about his new team.
“This is the most fun I’m having playing football since I can’t remember when,” Reed said after a recent OTA practice. “I got that kind of kid enjoyment of playing football again.”
Let’s be real: that’s not something you hear every day from a 27-year-old NFL vet who’s bounced between teams and cities. But in Detroit? It’s all hitting right for Reed.
“It’s Football Utopia for Me”
Reed didn’t hold back when asked how things are going during his first offseason with the Lions.
“I love it,” he said. “Everybody here is locked in, focused on one goal, and that’s to win the Super Bowl… From the nutritionist, to the strength coaches, to the physical trainers and to our coaches — everybody’s on the same page. It’s football utopia for me.”
That quote feels almost poetic in football terms — “football utopia.” For a guy who’s seen both the highs and lows of this league, that says a lot about what Dan Campbell and his staff have built in Detroit.
The Room Where It Happens
It’s not just the structure or the expectations. Reed is loving the people — especially his fellow DBs.
“Our room is hilarious,” he said with a grin. “We got some funny guys in our room, so that definitely helps. But at the same time, we got guys that are hungry… guys that want to do great things.”
He praised the balance of fun and focus: guys can joke around and laugh during downtime, but when it’s time to work, “we go 0 to 100.” That kind of culture — relaxed but locked-in — is rare in the NFL, and Reed knows it.
High Praise for the Young Guns
When the conversation shifted to Detroit’s young talent, Reed didn’t hesitate to shout out rookie corner Ennis Rakestraw.
“I’m very impressed… He’s fast, he plays with great eye discipline, and he keeps receivers guessing,” Reed noted. “He’s doing all the little things right.”
And on the other side of the ball? You better believe he’s noticed Jameson Williams.
“Once he gets to running, he’s hard to catch… But I think his hands are underrated,” Reed said, noting how cleanly Williams handles the ball during punt drills. “He does a lot of impressive stuff. I’m expecting a big year out of him.”
Locked In on Turnovers — and Family
For Reed, this season is about focus. After a year without a pick in New York, he’s locked in on making plays.
“I want to get the ball. That’s something I’ve been emphasizing in my game… just finding those opportunities to attack and get the ball,” he said.
But football isn’t everything. With a baby on the way, Reed plans to stay in Detroit for a bit longer during the break before camp. “She can’t fly, so I’m gonna be out here another week,” he said of his wife. Then it’s back to L.A. for training — and back to Detroit in July for a season with sky-high potential.
Detroit Feels Like Home
In Reed’s words, Detroit has brought back the joy. The energy, the hunger, the culture — it’s all added up to a perfect storm.
If you’re a Lions fan wondering if the team’s culture is resonating beyond the highlight reels and hype videos, just listen to your new cornerback:
“Everybody is just on board here… it’s really impressive.”
And if this version of D.J. Reed — motivated, joyful, locked-in — is what Detroit gets in 2024?
Well, paradise might just lead to a playoff run.