Carolina Panthers: Eric Reid signing the right call for defense

The Carolina Panthers made the decision to sign safety Eric Reid, adding a big-time player to a defense that is in need of such a guy.

The Carolina Panthers decision to sign Eric Reid to a contract on Thursday was a correct move for the team. This is a player that will have an impact on the field. Fans should feel confident in knowing that the front office leadership is dedicated to doing what is needed to make this team better.

Reid is a Pro Bowl quality safety who was a strong member of the San Francisco 49ers defense where he earned 10 interceptions during five seasons of play. Of course, Reid is also known for joining Colin Kaepernick in protesting during the national anthem with the 49ers in 2016.

What’s more, Reid also joined Kaepernick in filing a grievance against the league as Reid was left unemployed until signing with Carolina, despite many teams seemingly being able to use a player of his caliber.

Youth and inexperience should be the words used to describe Carolina’s defensive backfield. James Bradberry and Donte Jackson are playing well as the starting cornerbacks, but have yet to become the true shutdown corners that Carolina needs.

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Behind them, Mike Adams is a consummate professional and two-time Pro Bowl player, but one must wonder if he will continue to perform at a high level at this point in his career. Then there are the multiple concussions that have forced Da’Norris Searcy to IR, opening the door for Reid to become a viable candidate to fill this void.

Three games into the 2018 season, the Panthers are giving up 247 passing yards per outing. This is a big hole on a defensive unit that plays well in other areas of the game. Carolina is also struggling to get the same level of takeaways that they have in the past, many of which came through their passing defense.

If this unit is expected to make another postseason run, the pass defense must be strengthened and a move to sign Reid is the exact type of move that will help this group.

There’s a lot to unpack with Carolina’s decision to bring on Eric Reid. One aspect of the conversation is to point out the skill that he will bring to the team. The other aspect of the talk is what his signing will mean to fans that either do or do not support his stance on social and political debates. There will be enough commentary about those topics, but the first reaction should be excitement to see what this addition adds to this team.