That leadership returned dividends as soon as the 2024 season kicked off.
The Kansas City Chiefs defense was playing at an elite level, and many considered them as one of the best in the league. The only time they looked vulnerable was in their unbeaten streak breaking loss to the Buffalo Bills. Despite that, their reputation was such that Super Bowl LIX was billed as the battle of the defenses.
That Super Bowl LIX turned out to be a disaster for the Kansas City Chiefs. Now heading into the offseason, they knew they need proper upgrades to have another shot. During this time, Justin Reid, who was set to be a free agent, had a difficult decision to make.
Source: Former Chiefs safety Justin Reid reached agreement today with the Saints on a three-year, $31.5 million deal, including $22.25 million fully guaranteed. Reid is returning home to Louisiana.
Adam Schefter wrote on X
This was Adam Schefter announcing that Reid indeed took a decision. He preferred to return home and sign with the New Orleans Saints than wait for another few years on a cheaper deal. Considering he is 28 years old; this was to be his last major contract.
With Justin Reid’s exit, the Kansas City Chiefs have now lost a few star players. Team MVP Joe Thuney was packaged to the Chicago Bears. DeAndre Hopkins has joined a conference rival and fellow Super Bowl contender, and now Reid.
Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs lost few core players in offseason (Image via NFL/X)
Travis Kelce even thought of quitting before deciding to run it back in his last contract year. It is not that the Chiefs cannot sign other players. There are many in the league who believe they have a shot at a Super Bowl with Patrick Mahomes at QB.
But in Reid and Thuney, the Chiefs lost two core superstars. Joe Thuney was the anchor of that offensive line. Whereas the safety was the stabilizing factor in their defensive backfield. Admittedly, the Chiefs do save some cap space with these exits, but they also lose veterans who know the system inside out.
The New Orleans Saints are not exactly a team that is flush with salary cap space to temp elite players to their squad. But under new head coach Kellen Moore, they want to get better next season. With that in mind, they have been looking at players who can help elevate them in any way.
That is where Justin Reid comes in. He will join Tyrann Mathieu, the man he replaced at the Kansas City Chiefs, won his lone Super Bowl with them. That Saints defense is not that bad, but with chances of them likely moving towards younger players in the future, these experienced old heads will be crucial.
The franchise also got Reid, a player who has not made it to the Pro Bowl, on a hometown discount. He knows he might be on the move after two seasons. That is how they structured his new contract. However, Reid will still earn a major part of it in guaranteed money.
By the time his contract expires, Mathieu will probably retire, leaving Reid as the lone veteran. Then he can return to his hometown team on another cheap contract. That way, he and his family can stay at home and enjoy earning a decent sum playing football.
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