NFLPA Files Grievance On Behalf Of Free Agent S Eric Reid

On Monday, the NFL announced that they’ve filed a grievance on behalf of free agent S Eric Reid.

Here’s the official release from the NFLPA regarding the grievance:

The NFLPA has filed a non-injury grievance and a system arbitrator case on behalf of free agent safety Eric Reid.  Prior to the start of the current NFL off-season, our Union directed the agents of free agent players who had participated in peaceful on-field demonstrations to collect, memorialize and report any relevant information about potential violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement by teams. These cases were filed based upon the following:

– There is no League rule that prohibits players from demonstrating during the national anthem.

– The NFL has made it clear both publicly and to the NFLPA that they would respect the rights of players to demonstrate.

– The Collective Bargaining Agreement definitively states that League (NFL) rules supersede any conflicting club rules.

– According to our information, a club appears to have based its decision not to sign a player based on the player’s statement that he would challenge the implementation of a club’s policy prohibiting demonstration, which is contrary to the League policy.

– At least one club owner has asked preemployment interview questions about a player’s intent to demonstrate. We believe these questions are improper, given League policy.

Our Union continues to monitor these developments.

Reid is among the most notable players still available on the free agent market.

Reid has visited with the Bengals last month, but let Cincinnati without a deal. Reports said that Bengals owner Mike Brown specifically questioned Reid about his plans to kneel for the anthem.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Seahawks “briefly considered” Reid this offseason, but apparently decided to not get involved in the market for him.

49ers GM John Lynch told reporters a few weeks ago that they’re still in communication with Reid and haven’t closed the door on possibly re-signing him.

“It’s just the safety market has been incredibly slow and Eric’s been a victim of that,” Lynch said, per Cam Inman. “Some of that is Eric’s discretion of where he wants to be. We won’t close the door on that.”

Reid, 26, is a former first-round pick of the 49ers back in 2013. He played out the final year of his four-year, $8,480,736 contract with the 49ers and is currently testing the open market as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his NFL career.

In 2017, Reid appeared in 13 games for the 49ers and recorded 67 tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and four pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 30 safety out of 87 qualifying players.

We have him featured in our Top 50 Available 2018 NFL Free Agents list.