By Blessing 
D.J. Reed saw what everyone else did.
The veteran cornerback, who signed a three-year deal with the Detroit Lions this offseason, observed the team’s impressive run through the early part of the 2024 season. He noticed their strong presence on defense with star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson on the field during the first 4.5 games. And even after Hutchinson and several other key defensive players suffered serious injuries, Reed watched as the Lions kept competing at a high level.
“When Hutch was playing, I thought they were going to the Super Bowl,” Reed shared recently during organized team activities (OTAs). “Even when he got hurt and they still were playing well, I thought they were going to win the Super Bowl.”
Now, at 28 years old, Reed is part of that Lions squad, aiming to help push the team beyond last season’s early playoff exit. His talents on the field earned him a lucrative $48 million contract, with about $31 million guaranteed, convincing him to choose Detroit over other teams, including the Washington Commanders, who were also vying for his services. But Reed hopes his impact will extend beyond just his physical skills.
“I think I bring veteran leadership to the (defensive back) room, especially with what we play,” he said, joining a Lions defense that has leaned heavily on man coverage in recent years. “I think that I could just help guys with reading quick game, reading five-step, understanding what offenses are trying to attack in our defense. And just leadership, as far as how I take care of my body, what it means to be a pro on a day-to-day basis — I think things like that.”
That said, Reed is aware he’s still the newcomer and doesn’t see himself as the kind of player who rallies the team with loud speeches.
“I’m more of a kind of a show what I do, and if you pick off it or if you’ve got questions, I got you,” he explained. “I’m new here, so I’m not just gonna come here and just tell people what works.”
While Reed brings plenty of experience, team success has been elusive for much of his career, particularly in recent years. His postseason appearances came with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 and the Seattle Seahawks in 2020, but he hasn’t been part of a team that won more than seven games in a season since then. During his two years with the New York Jets, the team managed just seven wins each season, and despite solid performances from Reed and cornerback Ahmed “Sauce” Gardner, they finished last year with only five victories. By the time the bye week arrived, the Jets were 3-8, and their playoff hopes had essentially slipped away well before the season’s halfway point.
That’s why Reed feels thankful to be with the Lions, a team coming off back-to-back division titles and aiming for a Super Bowl run in the near future.
“Just being here, I’ve felt a lot of gratitude,” Reed said when reflecting on how his time with the Jets prepared him for this new chapter. “I needed to go through what I went through in New York, and I’m grateful that I went through it.”
Reed also sharpened his skills while covering receivers in man-to-man defense. He played 489 snaps in man coverage with the Jets, including 156 last season alone, which ranked 35th among cornerbacks league-wide. For context, rookie Terrion Arnold led the NFL with 325 snaps in man coverage, showing just how much responsibility was placed on him. Carlton Davis III, whom Reed replaces in Detroit, played 209 man-coverage snaps last season, ranking 12th, and nickel cornerback Amik Robertson had 245 snaps, the fourth most.
“I played with a lot of great guys, was coached by great coaches,” Reed reflected on his New York experience. “I’m definitely grateful for the time I was there. I definitely got better, especially as far as pressing because we played a lot of man in New York compared to when I was in Seattle, so I definitely added more to my toolbox when I was in New York. I’m grateful for that.”