The Cincinnati Bengals hit on a modern, savvy move with the recent short extension for defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
In one swoop, the Bengals updated Hendrickon’s pay to reflect his production, added another year to his contract and managed to reduce this year’s cap hit.
Rightfully, fans have started to wonder if a similar thing might happen for nose tackle DJ Reader.
Reader, 29, is a top-three player at his position and only has one year left on his current deal. A similar style of extension could, in theory, add more cap space while also keeping him in town beyond 2023.
But as Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer pointed out, the Bengals have yet to approach Reader about an extension:
Lots of questions about DJ Reader & his current contract after the news of Trey Hendrickson’s extension.
Different situations b/c DJ is entering final year on his deal.
To this point, DJ Reader has not been approached by the Bengals about an extension, sources tell me
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) July 27, 2023
These sorts of things can change in a hurry of course, but a ton of factors impact it, including Reader’s potential desire to hit an open market, the team’s non-rush to get something done while they focus on extensions for Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Logan Wilson, etc.
What won’t change is Reader’s impact on the overall scheme and if he can stay healthy, there’s no reason to think the two sides won’t link up and converse before he ever hits the open market next offseason.
For now, though, Hendrickson might’ve been a one-off before long-term extensions for younger players.
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