3. Reader’s salary is higher than the Texans would like to pay
According to Wilson, the floor for a Reader contract is $10.5 million, which is what Chicago Bears defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams currently make.
Reader is looking for an annual salary north of Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers’ $11.1 million and Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph’s $12.5 million. Consider that Joseph has made the Pro Bowl in 2016 and 2017. The closest Reader has gotten is a Pro Bowl alternate in 2019, a designation that is unofficial in terms of career merits.