Eric Reid told reporters near the end of the 2018 season that he wanted and expected to earn market value for his next contract. On Monday, the Panthers gave it to him. Reid signed a three-year deal to stay with Carolina. The move was the first real effort by the team to secure the safety position with a play-maker in his prime in a long time. It’s also a fair deal for both sides.
This morning, Ian Rapoport at NFL Network reported on the financial details of Reid’s new deal. Apparently, he got a $7.5 million signing bonus and $10 million in total guarantees.
If Reid hits all his incentives, he’ll be averaging $7.88 million a year. That would give him the ninth-most lucrative average among NFL safeties right now, just behind Tony Jefferson of the Ravens and ahead of Tashaun Gipson of the Jaguars. Keep in mind, Tyrann Mathieu is also going to be signing a long-term deal this offseason and he will likely command more. That would put Reid at No. 10.
The money Reid can make is neither an insult to his abilities nor is it a financial stretch for the team. Balanced all around.
