One of the top safeties in the NFL, Eric Reid, was eventually signed after six months without a job.
As the initial player to support Colin Kaepernick’s demonstrations, Reid filed a grievance in May, claiming that NFL owners were conspiring to prevent him from playing.
After six months as a free agent, former 49ers safety Eric Reid has finally received a deal. On Thursday, Reid inked a contract with the Carolina Panthers.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the agreement is for up to $1.9 million and is for a single year.
It took a while to arrive. In addition to being moved about the 49ers’ depth chart to accommodate injuries and an above-average group of safety, Reid is renowned for his hard-hitting ability.
Despite being mostly overlooked throughout the 2018 offseason, Reid was still seen to be a decent athlete who could play outside linebacker, strong safety, or even free safety. Following Colin Kaepernick’s example, Reid filed a grievance with the NFLPA at the beginning of May, alleging that the NFL owners conspired to deny him a contract.
What about Reid’s participation in demonstrations?
Reid was also a pioneer of the movement spearheaded by Colin Kaepernick, in which athletes choose to sit or kneel during the playing of the national anthem in protest of institutionalized racism in the US.
Reid has previously said that while he didn’t regret making his demonstrations, he wasn’t sure whether teams would avoid him as a consequence. Reid stated at the start of free agency that he felt he wasn’t receiving a fair shake from NFL owners because of his participation in the protests:
Even after Kaepernick was singled out for criticism in 2017, Reid persisted in kneeling in protest. Although he is currently unsigned, Kaepernick is still talented enough to play.
When Reid visited with Mike Brown of the Bengals in early April, he was informed that the owner planned to forbid demonstrations during the playing of the national anthem. Reid did not commit to the Bengals on the matter, despite having previously stated that he would not kneel if signed. Head coach Marvin Lewis allegedly paused upon hearing it.
Fortunately for Reid, the Panthers weren’t the only ones to see his potential and what he could provide the organization. Reid had the option to return to the 49ers, but he chose to play with the Panthers.
Owner David Tepper also expressed support for the players’ freedom to protest earlier this month.
Tepper said to CNBC’s Scott Wapner, “To say that [they aren’t patriotic] makes me so aggravated and angry.” “It’s just wrong—it’s blatantly wrong.”
Reid might not stop protesting during the playing of the national anthem.
Instagram was used by Kaepernick, his brother who was protesting in San Francisco, to congratulate his old comrade on his new position.
LINKED
An attorney explains the implications of Eric Reid’s agreement for his collusion case against the NFL.
What is Reid giving Carolina?
The 49ers selected Reid, 26, in the first round of the 2013 draft. He has 319 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 10 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, and 34 passes defensed in 70 career games. He has a good nose for the ball and is a solid run support defender.
Despite his versatility, strong safety is where he excels. Though he wasn’t horrible at free safety or even his brief run at linebacker, that’s where he started and where the 49ers should never have transferred him. Reid noted that following the 49ers’ mid-season departure of NaVorro Bowman, he changed positions the previous year:
After placing Da’Norris Searcy on injured reserve due to a concussion, the Panthers are severely lacking depth at safety. Reid was determined by head coach Ron Rivera and general manager Marty Hurney to be the finest candidate to succeed him.
Torrey Smith, a wide receiver for the Panthers, expressed his optimism to ESPN earlier in the week that the team will sign Reid.
With the injuries we have, I know he’s a man that can assist this team, and he’s one of the greatest guys I’ve ever been around, so I hope it can happen for us,” Smith added.
“I sincerely hope he is given a chance. It’s not right what happened to him, and he deserves it.
Are there any worries regarding Reid?
Reid has a history of ailments, with concussions being the most worrying. Among those was a serious concussion he had in 2014—the first two occurred within the first nine games of his rookie campaign—which was his third in the NFL.
Reid’s play was erratic after that specific incident, leading some to believe he was being “safe.” He has since performed at a high level, but he has missed nine games in the last two seasons because of injuries to his knee and arm.
