Jets head coach Aaron Glenn had some very positive things to say about the new Detroit Lions cornerback.
Aaron Glenn and cornerback D.J. Reed just missed crossing paths in New York, as they headed in opposite directions this offseason. Reed, a former Jets cornerback, signed a three-year, $48 million contract with the Detroit Lions in the team’s biggest free agency move since Brad Holmes took over in 2021. Glenn, the former Lions defensive coordinator, took the Jets head coach job in January.
While Glenn was never able to coach Reed, he did do a significant amount of scouting on the player, as he needed to decide whether he was a player the Jets were going to continue to invest in his football future or not. While the Jets and Reed obviously opted to go their separate ways this offseason—a decision that could have been prompted by Reed’s desire to play for a competitor —Glenn only had really positive things to say about the Lions cornerback.
“He was scrappy, feisty,” Glenn said at the annual owners’ meetings. “I ended up talking to D.J. quite a bit before that, just from his free agency from coming out. I just thought he was a man’s man, as far as playing the game. He’s not just a cover corner; he’s one that’ll go out there and tackle, too. I think Detroit is getting a dynamic player at corner.”
That certainly fits the kind of character and style the Lions have preferred in their cornerbacks in the past. Unlike in some other schemes around the NFL, the Lions have always included cornerbacks as an integral part of their run defense. It’s also something that Reed wears as a badge of honor.
“I have grit, I’m a tenacious player, I want to dominate and win every rep,” Reed said in his introductory press conference last month. “I’m a willing tackler as well as corner, which you know most corners don’t want to tackle. Most corners want to cover. I like to throw myself out there when I have to, and I also want to cover as well.”
Reed, who replaces Carlton Davis this offseason, is expected to be the team’s No. 1 cornerback this year, opposite second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold. Earlier this offseason Reed said he believes Arnold has all the tools to be one of the best cornerbacks in the league .
“As far as talent, as far as being sticky, it was a reason why he was drafted in the first round. So, he’s going to be very good, in my opinion. I think he’s a Pro Bowl , All-Pro type of guy.”
Last year, Detroit finished the NFL first in passer rating allowed (82.0), t-fifth in interceptions (16), and t-seventh in passes defended (81). With the Jets, Reed finished the year with 64 tackles, 11 passes defended, and a sack.