The Panthers have signed free agent safety Eric Reid to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Reid will help to fill the void after the team was forced to place safety Da’Norris Searcy on injured reserve last week. 
This offseason, Reid fell victim to a stagnant free agent market for safeties. His role in national anthem protests and alignment with Colin Kaepernick may have also played a role in his extended unemployment. Whatever the reason, Reid is undoubtedly happy to be back in football and in a situation where he has an opportunity to shine.
“Eric has been a starting safety in the NFL and has played at a high level throughout his career,” GM Marty Hurney said in a statement. “After we put Da’Norris Searcy on injured reserve, Ron [Rivera] and I discussed our options, and Eric was at the top of our list. He is a physical safety with good ball skills and play-making ability.”
Reid took a visit with the Bengals earlier this year, but later filed a grievance after Cincinnati asked him about his anthem stance. He was scheduled to meet with the Titans earlier this month, but multiple flight cancellations prevented Reid’s visit. He was linked to the Falcons recently after they lost their second starting safety of the year, but they did not pursue him.
Reid, 26, was something of a playmaker during his first two NFL campaigns, as he posted seven total interceptions from 2013-14. While he hasn’t kept up that rate of turnover creation, Reid is still a solid starter, and Pro Football Focus graded him as the league’s No. 30 safety a year ago.
The Panthers’ signing of Reid does not impact his collusion grievance against the NFL, Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter) hears. Reid is represented by attorney Mark Geragos, the same lawyer representing Kaepernick in his case against the league.
If the guy that signs his paycheck is OK with him kneeling then I have no problem with this. This guy has enough talent to be on an NFL field
Agreed, his talent is there. Perhaps unlike Kaepernick’s, either way I’m in the opinion both were Blackballed for making a stance and attempting to bring attention to one of many issues this country should try to do a better job at rectifying. The method was flawed, imo, I personally disagreed with the method immediately, not because they didn’t have the right but because I knew so many people perhaps a majority wouldn’t be able see past or hear past the symbolism, in their minds, of disgracing the flag. Hopefully this works out for everyone one day but I’m not holding my breath, lol.
Good comment and it’s all for a good cause although it has no use on the football field.
Wasn’t aware that the National Anthem took place during the game. Pretty sure it happens before the actual game. Pretty sure that Americans taxes have better uses then supporting a pro football league.
Who said that it took place during the game because I’ve been watching football my whole life and I’ve never seen it happen during the game?
Pretty sure waiting at the concessions stand not paying attention is way worse and more disrespectful.
Only time the beer line is low.
What’s more American than an $8 beer?
Sneaking in a fifth of Jack
Smart football move, and a good step forward in all ways.
If it’s the min smh at all these other teams.
Just another reason not to watch the National Felony League (NFL) and the Panthers!
But not enough for you to spend time midday on NFL rumors sites.
Bye bye collision case! All settled for roughly $300k. Show his contract, the other kneelers still in the league, and its all over.
For this whole collusion case to have made any sense at all. There would need to b more then 2 dudes on the docket. Kaep got benched and was a middling starter. And reports state he was offered backup salary contracts and he wanted starter money. Reid was offered atleast 4 contracts and had meetings with a couple others before he joined in the suit. Am I allowed to file a collision case against employers who don’t offer me the money I want to work for them? If that’s the case then who wants to join my collusion case against employers who don’t want to pay us actual hard working citizens fair wage?