The Saints won a multi-team battle for Justin Reid last week, with the Eagles and the Titans falling short in their bid to sign the veteran safety, per Bleacher Report’s James Palmer.
The Eagles “weren’t close” to the $10.5M APY that Reid received from the Saints, per Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer, suggesting that he was willing to take less money to join the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Reid confirmed those teams’ interest in his introductory press conference, adding that the Chiefs explored a reunion with their longtime safety as well. He added that there is “no animosity” between him and the Chiefs, but signing with the Saints “made too much sense” for the Louisiana native.
He went to college across the country at Stanford, but falling to the Texans in the 2018 draft allowed Reid to stay somewhat close to home in Houston. His three years in Kansas City pulled him farther away from Louisiana, but he will now get to play for his childhood team.
“Every kid in Louisiana dreams about playing for the Saints,” said Reid. He will reunite with fellow Louisiana native Tyrann Mathieu in New Orleans. Reid played with Mathieu in Houston in 2018 and later replaced him in Kansas City in 2022.
His new contract in New Orleans is worth $31.5MM over three years, the same as his last deal with the Chiefs. He is receiving $2MM more in guaranteed money, though his APY has not increased with salary cap inflation.