Aaron Glenn and cornerback D.J. Reed simply missed crossing paths in New York, as they headed in reverse instructions this offseason. Reed, a former Jets cornerback, signed a three-year, $48 million contract with the Detroit Lions within the crew’s greatest free company transfer since Brad Holmes took over in 2021. Glenn, the previous Lions defensive coordinator, took the Jets head coach job in January.
Whereas Glenn was by no means capable of coach Reed, he did do a major quantity of scouting on the participant, as he wanted to determine whether or not he was a participant the Jets had been going to proceed to spend money on his soccer future or not. Whereas the Jets and Reed clearly opted to go their separate methods this offseason—a call that would have been prompted by Reed’s need to play for a competitor—Glenn solely had actually optimistic issues to say concerning the Lions cornerback.
“He was scrappy, feisty,” Glenn mentioned on the annual house owners’ conferences. “I ended up speaking to D.J. fairly a bit earlier than that, simply from his free company from popping out. I simply thought he was a person’s man, so far as enjoying the sport. He’s not only a cowl nook; he’s one which’ll go on the market and sort out, too. I feel Detroit is getting a dynamic participant at nook.”
That actually matches the sort of character and elegance the Lions have most popular of their cornerbacks previously. Not like in another schemes across the NFL, the Lions have at all times included cornerbacks as an integral a part of their run protection. It’s additionally one thing that Reed wears as a badge of honor.
“I’ve grit, I’m a tenacious participant, I wish to dominate and win each rep,” Reed mentioned in his introductory press convention final month. “I’m a prepared tackler in addition to nook, which you recognize most corners don’t wish to sort out. Most corners wish to cowl. I prefer to throw myself on the market when I’ve to, and I additionally wish to cowl as properly.”
Reed, who replaces Carlton Davis this offseason, is anticipated to be the crew’s No. 1 cornerback this yr, reverse second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold. Earlier this offseason Reed mentioned he believes Arnold has all of the instruments to be probably the greatest cornerbacks within the league.
“So far as expertise, so far as being sticky, it was a cause why he was drafted within the first spherical. So, he’s going to be superb, in my view. I feel he’s a Professional Bowl, All-Professional kind of man.”
Final yr, Detroit completed the NFL first in passer score allowed (82.0), t-fifth in interceptions (16), and t-seventh in passes defended (81). With the Jets, Reed completed the yr with 64 tackles, 11 passes defended, and a sack.
