Eric Reid, Panthers Agree to 3-Year, $22 Million Contract Ahead of Free Agency

The Carolina Panthers and safety Eric Reid have reached an agreement on a three-year contract, the Panthers announced Monday.

Mike Silver of NFL.com reported the contract is worth "more than $22 million." Reid later confirmed the figure, via Joseph Person of The Athletic.

Reid signed with Carolina in late September after sitting out most of the 2018 season's first month as a free agent.

The 27-year-old tallied 71 total tackles, five passes defended, an interception and a sack across 13 appearances for Carolina. Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL's 55th-best safety.

In December, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said he hoped Reid would return for 2019 based on his production after he signed a cap-friendly one-year, $1.7 million contract.

"He's done a great job, and he fits very well into the system that we have," Rivera told reporters.

Reid has filed a collusion grievance against the NFL for his extended stay on the free-agent market, which he attributed to his decision to kneel during the United States national anthem alongside former San Francisco 49ers teammate Colin Kaepernick.

Reid also filed a grievance against the Cincinnati Bengals for asking him during a free-agent visit whether he would continue to kneel during the anthem. An arbitrator ruled against him in October after the LSU product joined the Panthers.

"If anything, it proves my point from last year," Reid said about his grievance, via David Newton of ESPN.com. "I didn't sign until a [few weeks into] the regular season. This year I signed a more substantial contract over the same time period. I'm the same player.''

Although the anthem issue remains a hot-button topic for the NFL and likely limited the number of potential suitors for Reid, who continued to kneel while playing for Carolina, his on-field track record is strong with 398 tackles and 11 interceptions in 83 games. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2013.

Staying with the Panthers is a victory for both sides. Reid stepped right into the lineup after Carolina's defensive backfield dealt with injuries early last season and provided solid production.

He'll likely line up opposite Da'Norris Searcy at safety to open the 2019 campaign.