KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Former Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid shed insight into his decision to leave Kansas City in favor of the New Orleans Saints.
Reid, who agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints on March 11, signed an almost identical deal by years and total money as he did with the Chiefs prior to the 2022 season.
“I was texting Spags and (defensive backs) coach Merritt during the process to see if something could be worked out,” Reid told Kay Adams on Up & Adams. “But the only constant thing in this business is change. That’s the only thing that’s ever the same year-to-year.”
Reid was a critical piece in the Chiefs secondary during his three seasons in Kansas City, which resulted in two Super Bowl titles and another Super Bowl appearance. In 49 career regular season games with the Chiefs, Reid had 3 interceptions, 265 tackles and 4 sacks.
“I don’t think it was because of a lack of want to on either side,” Reid said of his choice to depart for his home state, “but rather just a product of the situation and what salary cap space was available and what moves was an emphasis of the offseason to go out and make.”
The Stanford product and native of Louisiana signed with New Orleans after the Chiefs made several of their priority offseason moves, like trading left guard Joe Thuney, franchise-tagging right guard Trey Smith and signing linebacker Nick Bolton.
Asked when he knew he was leaving Kansas City, Reid said that choice wasn’t made official until days into free agency.
“Probably early that second day of free agency,” Reid said he knew he couldn’t return to Kansas City. “I was actually trying to wait. I was trying to wait to buy time to see if we could get something worked out and then cards unfolded and it just didn’t work out. Then you have to make the next-best decision for yourself and that’s why I ended up choosing the Saints.”
Reid’s signing came on the same day the Chiefs reportedly agreed to a deal with former Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton.
Kansas City drafted safety Jaden Hicks in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Hicks figures to play more after Reid’s departure. Along with Hicks, the Chiefs’ roster features safety Chamarri Conner.
