Former Clemson standout D.J. Reader is slated to hit the free-agent market in 2026.

The 31-year-old veteran defensive tackle is in his second year with the Detroit Lions in 2025 after signing a two-year, $27.25 million deal with the team prior to the 2024 campaign.

Reader shared thoughts on his future with the Lions ahead of his potential free agency next offseason, via Detroit Free Press sportswriter Dave Birkett.

“I’d love to be here, love the guys, love the coaches, so we’ll see, you never know how free agency (works out),” Reader said. “They got some other stuff they got to take care of so I’m sure it’s more important than me right now. You never know how that shakes out, but I’d love to be here. I’ve enjoyed my time here.”

During his first year in Detroit in 2024, Reader started all 15 games he played in, tallying 23 total tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, eight quarterback hits and one pass defended.

This season, the 6-foot-3, 330-pounder has started all 16 games for the Lions (8-8), recording 28 total tackles and four quarterback hits.

After being drafted by the Houston Texans in the fifth round (166th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft, Reader spent the first four seasons of his NFL career (2016-19) in Houston before playing four years with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2020-23.

Over his 10-year NFL career with the Texans, Bengals and Lions, Reader has posted 328 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks to go with 56 quarterback hits, nine passes defended, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble across 136 games (127 starts).

Reader was recently ranked by Pro Football Focus as the No. 57 potential free agent to keep taps on entering next offseason.

–Photo courtesy of Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images