Past record gives D.J. some discord
D.J. Reed wants to show the Seahawks what they are missing out on this week.
The cornerback spent the past two seasons in Seattle but joined the Jets as a free agent in March after receiving what he felt was a low-ball offer from the Seahawks.
“I’d be lying to you if I said it didn’t add a little more spice to it. It does,” Reed said. “I have a lot of respect for the guys over there. They gave me the opportunity to play corner and they gave me this opportunity to be here. I’m grateful for Pete [Carroll, coach] and John [Schneider, GM]. At the end of the day, I’m over here now. I have to let them know who I am.”
The 26-year-old Reed has let the Jets know who he is. Reed has been outstanding in his first season in New York and is a huge reason why the Jets’ defense has gone from the worst in the NFL to one of the best. He has partnered with rookie Sauce Gardner to shut down opposing pass offenses. Pro Football Focus has Reed graded as the 17th-best cornerback out of 121 graded.
For Reed, the return to Seattle is a return to where he saw his career blossom. After getting drafted by the 49ers in 2018 and spending two years there, the Seahawks picked him up and moved him to the outside cornerback spot. He flourished then became a coveted free agent last offseason. The Jets signed him to a three-year, $33 million deal. After Reed signed, he called the Seahawks’ contract offer “disrespectful.” On Wednesday, he said he is over that part of it.
“I moved on from that,” Reed said. “At the end of the day, it’s a business. They knew what they wanted to do. They drafted a great corner in Tariq Woolen, who is playing phenomenal ball. They drafted Coby Bryant, who is playing good ball as well. They’re both creating a lot of turnovers. They knew what route they wanted to go. It’s not personal. Everything worked out.”
Reed said he feels like people are starting to recognize his ability, but feels he still has a lot more growth in him.
When the Pro Bowl selections were announced last week, Reed was named as an alternate. Reed thought he should have made the team and now said it will fuel him.
“I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed. I definitely was,” Reed said. “I thought I played at a Pro Bowl level this year. It’s just more motivation for me. I look at everything from a positive perspective. Next year, I’m going to make it obvious.”