Like every other NFL team, the Kansas City Chiefs will have some pending free agents potentially moving on soon. Some guys are seen as bigger names than others. But for one particular Chiefs player who is set for free agency, his signing has truly turned into a valuable asset for Kansas City. That would be safety Justin Reid.
Reid was signed to a three-year deal in March 2022. This was a huge decision by the Chiefs, from the standpoint of optics. Tyrann Mathieu was a key part of turning around the defense during his trio of seasons in K.C. However, Kansas City did not bring him back in the 2022 offseason, forcing the team to replace someone who had become a fan favorite.
Justin Reid has been seen as a polarizing player among Chiefs fans. Yet, you cannot argue with his consistency over the three seasons with Kansas City. If Super Bowl LIX is indeed his final game with the team, the decision to bring him in should be viewed as a worthwhile investment from the team.
Justin Reid as defensive leader
Justin Reid has become one of the top leaders on the Chiefs defense. This is something that may fall by the wayside with some younger pieces on the Kansas City defensive unit. Reid's experience has helped the Chiefs stand tall in crucial situations. Rarely, if ever, do you see the safety caught out of position. Simply put, his play is reliable as a routine player who can impact the game in various ways.
Reid understands when he and his defense need to give the offense a boost. He has helped build up some of the younger defensive backs, as they continue to get further along in their NFL career. With his words of wisdom, the safety can be one of the few to keep his unit grounded in tense moments.
Where Reid makes his money
Justin Reid is not your typical safety. He is routinely one of the more sound tacklers. This is true, both against the run and in space against pass catchers. That also extends to his results against players in all shapes and sizes. Whether it be against running backs or tight ends, Reid can catch opponents off guard with his power.
The versatility of Reid is also an underrated part of his game. He can play in the box, align in the slot, and even be relied on as a single-high safety over the top. And as part of the Steve Spagnuolo defense, Reid can even change momentum as a blitzer.
This season alone, Reid has lined up more in the box (523 snaps) than he has as a free safety (328 snaps) via Pro Football Focus. His amount of snaps at slot corner (177) is nothing to scoff at, either. PFF gave him a coverage grade of 77.4 this season, 12th best among safeties around the league.
With all of those tasks that he can handle, Justin Reid could see another significant payday on the free agent market. And he is still in his prime age, turning 28 just after the upcoming Super Bowl. Given the free agent safety class, Reid could easily be viewed as one of the best available. And if Kansas City wins on Sunday, he will have won a Super Bowl in all three years with the Chiefs. That will also lead to more interest from outside teams if K.C. does not bring him back.