When D.J. Reed signed with the Detroit Lions this offseason, he immediately felt a shift. Fresh off a stint with the New York Jets, the cornerback was struck by the difference in atmosphere within his new team.
When asked whether he noticed an energy change between Detroit and New York, Reed didn't hesitate. “Yeah, for sure,” he acknowledged, emphasizing the newfound enthusiasm he has found in the Lions’ locker room.
Reed was careful not to disparage his former teammates or coaches from the Jets, reflecting instead on how his experience with a team that churned out seasons of 7-10, 7-10, and 5-12 helped shape him. “I needed to go through what I went through in New York and I’m grateful I went through it,” Reed admitted.
Nevertheless, his excitement to join a team with playoff ambitions is undeniable. “It’s difficult, but at the end of the day we get paid to play football and you make a commitment to your team,” Reed noted. “But it is tough when you get to September, October, November, and you’re already out of the playoffs, that is tough because the energy is different when you know you’re playing for something.”
The Lions are hopeful that Reed’s presence will be instrumental in pushing them to play meaningful games not just in the early months of the season, but bringing intensity into December, January, and maybe even February. For Reed, it's an invigorating challenge and a fresh start.
