Panthers sign safety Eric Reid to new 3-year contract

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Safety Eric Reid Reid has signed a three-year contract to remain with the Panthers through 2021.

Reid was set to become an unrestricted free agent after completing his first season with Carolina. He signed with the team in Week 4 and immediately became a starter, finishing the year with 73 tackles, five passes defensed and one interception in 13 games.

Past coverage:

• Eric Reid's lawyers dispute NFL findings his drug testing was normal
• NFL, Players Association: 'No evidence of targeting' Panthers' Reid for drug tests
• NFL, Players' Union requests report on number of drug tests for Panthers' Eric Reid's
• Panthers' Eric Reid says he's being excessively drug tested by NFL

Reid was originally a first-round pick of San Francisco in 2013. He earned Pro Bowl honors as a rookie after posting four interceptions, still a career high. Reid spent five seasons with the 49ers before joining the Panthers during the 2018 season.

“We always knew he was a solid football player,” head coach Ron Rivera said during the season. “And he showed it to us.”

Extending the 27-year-old Reid solidifies one of the safety spots, but it’s not yet clear who will start alongside him in 2019. Veteran Mike Adams, the starter for the past two seasons, is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Rashaan Gaulden, a third-round draft choice a year ago, played sparingly throughout his rookie season and could be in line for more playing time.

Veteran Da'Norris Searcy, who is under contract through 2019, started the first two games of the 2018 season before suffering a concussion that landed him on injured reserve.

Cox Media Group