Jeff Darlington reports that the Panthers are releasing veteran S Eric Reid.
Reid has already confirmed the news:
It’s been a pleasure Carolina! I enjoyed my time and the support I received from the fans, media, teammates, and staff there will be remembered. Looking forward to furthering my career in another city!
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) March 18, 2020
According to Darlington, the Panthers saw him as a great culture fit, but they decided to go a different way at safety in free agency.
Darlington mentions that Redskins HC Ron Rivera really liked Reid when they were together in Carolina, so Washington will be an obvious destination to watch for him.
Darlington does, however, add that the Redskins have invested a lot in the safety position after signing Landon Collins, so it’s more likely Reid will feel out the market before any immediate move.
Reid, 28, 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 before signing a one-year contract with the Panthers in 2018.
Reid later signed a three-year contract is worth over $22 million with the Panthers last year.
According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Reid will free up $3 million of available cap space while creating $5 million in dead money.
In 2019, Reid appeared in all 16 games for the Panthers and recorded 130 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble, two recoveries and six pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 84 safety out of 86 qualifying players.
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