Jah Reid, Branden Albert looking for work in NFL
By Matt Conner
Two former Kansas City Chiefs offensive linemen are in the news this week in NFL circles as they continue to look for work.
Both Branden Albert and Jah Reid will be familiar to Kansas City Chiefs fans as offensive linemen who were on the roster for varying lengths of time—Albert obviously for much longer and greater impact. This week, both men are looking for active work in the NFL.
Jah Reid was recently signed by the Houston Texans earlier this season but he’s reportedly been released to make room for other players, per Field Yates.
Source: the Texans have cut veteran OT Jah Reid and CB Johnthan Banks. Houston has roster shuffling to do this week.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 10, 2017
Now Reid joins the ranks of free agent once again, where Branden Albert currently finds himself. He’s been actively looking for work this year and even recently worked out for the Seattle Seahawks. He also has another visit lined up, per Ian Rapoport, with the New York Giants.
Free agent LT Branden Albert is leaving the #Seahawks without a deal, source said. His next visit later this week: The #Giants. 🤔🤔🤔
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2017
Reid was released by the Chiefs less than two months ago after new general manager Brett Veach traded for Cameron Erving from the Cleveland Browns.
Albert is a more interesting story in that he was traded this offseason from the Miami Dolphins to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a conditional draft choice. From there, he said all the right things yet refused to report to the Jags when it was time for OTAs. Head coach Doug Marrone said he reached out to Albert but failed to make a connection. When it was time for mandatory practice, Albert showed up and then didn’t, instead choosing to retire.
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After his retirement announcement, word leaked that he might have to pay back a significant part of his bonus moving forward, which led to him potentially coming back to Jacksonville. Clearly both sides at this point were ready to move on and Albert was let go with a settlement of some kind, making him a free agent and able to sign anywhere. However, it seems like his reputation now precedes him (or the talent level simply isn’t there).
Given the level at which players are injured, both Reid and Albert are likely to find some work in the weeks ahead.