So far, there has been no known interest in Eric Reid, despite the fact that he is among the most talented safeties available in this year’s free agent crop. Reid has speculated that the lack of buzz has been due to his kneeling during the national anthem in the past, but he indicated on Thursday that he will no longer participate in anthem protests. 
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“From the beginning, Colin [Kaepernick] has been flexible,” Reid said (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area). “He started by sitting. He changed it up. We decided to kneel. And we understand that you got to change with the times. So I’m not saying I’m going to stop being active, because I won’t. I’m just going to consider different ways to be active, different ways to bring awareness to the issues of this country to improve on. I don’t think it’ll be in the form of protesting during the anthem. And I said ‘during’ because it’s crazy to me that the narrative got changed to we were protesting the anthem, because that wasn’t the case. But I think we’re going to take a different approach to how to be active.”
Reid’s participation in anthem protests are likely one reason for his continued unemployment, but it has also been a slow moving market for safeties in general. It took Tyrann Mathieu a little while to find his deal after being released by Arizona and other notables such as Kenny Vaccaro and Tre Boston continue to look for work. We’re also just eight days into the official free agency period (side note: can you believe that it has been only eight days?), so it stands to reason that Reid is still likely to find a quality deal.
Reid says that he has yet to receive an offer from a team, but 49ers GM John Lynch said “never say never” when asked about the prospect of a return to the 49ers. Although no visit has been scheduled, Reid’s agent has been in contact with clubs, tweets Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group (Twitter link).
Los Angeles Chargers, lez go
The fact that the 49er’s don’t want him back is telling.
“…is telling.” Of what, exactly?
Obviously it’s not just about the kneeling . I’m guessing this guy was a PITA in the locker room and with the coaches hence why the 49er’s didnt even offer him.
How you go from “guessing” to “obviously” is a bit wondrous to behold.
These guys who kneel keep telling the people who are offended by the protest that “it’s not about the anthem” well… it is about the anthem and if the lack of a contract was the only way for him to “get it” maybe that’s what it takes. You are free to kneel during the anthem, but you do not have the right to play in the NFL. With that said, Reid is a decent safety, probably would be on a roster if it weren’t for his kneeling.
Freedom is a double-sided sword, Eric. Yes, you absolutely have the freedom to say whatever you want and criticize anyone you want with no fear of imprisonment. That’s what makes America great. NFL owners also have the freedom to not be forced to pay you to work for them because they can’t stand your views, or for absolutely no good reason at all. Freedom. It’s exactly what you advocated for. Now please go make my double latte.
I’ll take a 16oz Pike drip to Eric and a big ass piece of ‘MERICA!!
Zach, does expecting a “quality” deal also have a big impact in his case? And what would those numbers look like? Thanks!
We had to move him to middle linebacker at one point this year. He doesn’t fit our new scheme in Santa Clara…. That’s why the 49ers are not interested. We had him on the trade block last year and almost released him numerous times. I think he will do just fine back in a 3-4 scheme somewhere else. Vic Fangio will call at some point.
I think Kansas City should pick him up, we need safety help!
I’d love to see him sharing the same defensive backfield as Harrison Smith in Minnesota. Slide him in as the slot corner and move him around as much as they already do with Smith and Sendejo.