Dennis Duane 'DJ' Reed Jr. is an American football cornerback for the Detroit Lions in the NFL as of March 2025. The San Francisco 49ers selected Reed as the 142nd pick in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He attended Independence High School for his primary education, where he began his football career. During high school, he recorded a total of 6 interceptions and 1,150 total yards of offense with 13 touchdowns and was named MVP in his high school. Reed's collegiate career began with Fresno State in 2014 as a freshman.
Reed transferred from Fresno State to Cerritos College, where as a freshman, he recorded 42 tackles and two interceptions in 11 games. After the end of the 2015 season, he transferred again to Kansas State University, playing for the Wildcats in 2016. Reed recorded 75 tackles and 16 pass deflections as a redshirt sophomore, while being named to the 2016 All-Big 12 Conference football team. Prior to 2017, he was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list and the Jim Thorpe Award watch list. He recorded 47 total tackles and four interceptions after starting in 11 games in the 2017 season. Reed’s NFL career began with the San Francisco 49ers in the 2018 season. Reed has also played for the Seattle Seahawks (2020–2021), and New York Jets (2022–2024) before joining the Detroit Lions.
D. J. Reed Contract Breakdown
Reed signed a three-year contract with the Lions valued at $48 million in 2025. His current contract includes a signing bonus of $15,235,000, a guaranteed amount of $30,980,000, and an average annual salary of $16,000,000, according to Spotrac.
| Contract terms | Average Salary | Signing Bonus | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 3 year(s) / $48,000,000 | $16,000,000 | $15,235,000 | $30,980,000 | $30,980,000 |
| Year | Status | BaseP5 Salary | SigningProration | RosterBonus | Roster/GmBonus | OptionProration | Cap Hit | Dead Cap |
| 2025 | $1,255,000 | $3,047,000 | - | $420,000 | - | $4,722,000 | $30,980,000 | |
| 2026 | $14,490,000 | $3,047,000 | - | $510,000 | - | $18,047,000 | $26,678,000 | |
| POTENTIAL OUT: 2027, 2 YR, $32,000,000; $9,141,000 DEAD CAP | ||||||||
| 2027 | $1,345,000 | $3,047,000 | $500,000 | $510,000 | $2,729,000 | $8,131,000 | $9,141,000 | |
| 2028 | VoidUFA | - | $3,047,000 | - | - | $2,729,000 | $6,094,000 | $6,094,000 |
| 2029 | Void | - | $3,047,000 | - | - | $2,729,000 | $5,776,000 | - |
| 2030 | Void | - | - | - | - | $2,729,000 | $2,729,000 | - |
| 2031 | Void | - | - | - | - | $2,729,000 | $2,729,000 | - |
How much is D. J. Reed getting paid?
Reed will earn a base salary of $1,255,000 and a signing bonus of $15,235,000, with a cap hit of $4,722,000 and a dead cap value of $30,980,000 for the 2025 season. His contract states that he will earn an average annual salary of $16,000,000. (via Spotrac)
How much D. J. Reed will make in a minute?
With an average annual salary of $16 million, he makes approximately $30.44 per minute.
What are the terms of D. J. Reed's contract?
DJ Reed's contract includes $30.98 million guaranteed at signing, including a signing bonus + 2025 salary + 2026 salary. It also provides a $30,000 per-game active bonus ($510,000 total), a $13.645 million option bonus in 2027, and automatic void years from 2028 to 2031. (via Spotrac)
D. J. Reed's Career Earnings
As of March 2025, Reed has earned approximately $35,775,467 in his career earnings. (via Spotrac)
How much of D. J. Reed’s contract is guaranteed?
Reed was guaranteed $30,980,000 in total. (via Spotrac)
D. J. Reed Reed Contract History
Reed signed a three-year contract with the Jets valued at $33 million in July 2021. His current contract includes a signing bonus of $9,465,000, a guaranteed amount of $10,500,000, and an average annual salary of $11,000,000. (via Spotrac)
| Contract terms | Average Salary | Signing Bonus | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 3 year(s) / $33,000,000 | $11,000,000 | $9,465,000 | $10,500,000 | $10,500,000 |
In 2018, DJ Reed signed a 4-year, $2,771,371 rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers, including a $311,371 signing bonus and an average annual salary of $692,843.
| Contract terms | Average Salary | Signing Bonus | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 4 year(s)/ $2,771,371 | $692,843 | $311,371 | $311,371 | $311,371 |
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FAQs on DJ Reed
A. DJ Reed is 28 years old, as of March 2025. He was born on November 11,1996.
A. DJ Reed attended Kansas State University Wildcats.
A. DJ Reed is 5 ft 9 in tall.
A. DJ Reed was born in Bakersfield, California, U.S.
