Big Blue is making a big move in the trenches. The New York Giants have agreed to a two-year, $12.5 million deal with veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.

The signing, confirmed on condition of anonymity Tuesday, comes as the Giants look to shore up a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league last season. Reader, who turns 32 on July 1, is expected to step into the role vacated by Dexter Lawrence, who was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals just before last month's draft.

The Giants had been eyeing Reader for weeks, hosting him for a workout on April 13 while Lawrence's future with the team remained uncertain. Now, they've landed a proven veteran who started all 17 games for the Detroit Lions last season, recording 28 tackles and providing steady leadership on the interior line.

Reader's journey to New York has been a long one. Since being selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, he has played in 137 games across stints with the Texans, Bengals, and Lions, amassing 328 tackles and 12.5 sacks. His experience and durability will be crucial for a Giants defense that allowed far too many yards in 2025.

Reader joins a revamped defensive unit under new head coach John Harbaugh, who has prioritized rebuilding a group that finished 30th out of 32 teams last season. The Giants also used the No. 5 overall pick in the draft to select Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and signed free agent Tremaine Edmunds to bolster the linebacker corps.

For Giants fans, this signing signals a commitment to getting tougher at the point of attack. Reader may not be a household name, but his ability to clog running lanes and pressure quarterbacks from the interior will be a welcome addition to a defense in desperate need of an upgrade.