San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch was among the team's contingent of staff members in attendance at Stanford's pro day. So was free agent safety Eric Reid, who played each of his five NFL seasons with the 49ers. Reid is there to watch his younger brother, Justin, participate in the pro day.
There has been very little buzz surrounding Reid and the Pro Bowl safety remains available over a week into free agency with most NFL teams, like the 49ers, already shifting focus to next month's draft. The safety market as a whole has failed to develop over the past week. Why is that? Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes teams simply want to put their money elsewhere.
"More money is going to pass rushers and cover corners, with more teams believing, in a passing league, they can find affordable ways to fill middle-of-the-field positions," wrote Breer in a feature for The MMQB on Thursday.
Of course, many believe that Reid's participation in protesting against social injustice during the national anthem has contributed to him remaining available.
"My guess is that once the safety market starts moving, Reid will find a home," wrote Breer. "If he doesn't, it's fair to ask some questions."
Reid was seen speaking with Lynch at Stanford's pro day.
Free-agent safety Eric Reid was chatting with #49ers GM John Lynch at Stanford's pro day. Now, Reid is on the field with the DBs to get a closer look at the workout of his brother, Justin.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) March 22, 2018
Following the pro day, Lynch spoke with reporters and said he also believes Reid is stuck in a safety market that has been slow to develop. Lynch said the 49ers have three safeties that they like but would not completely close the door on the possibility of bringing Reid back.
"I really do think that opportunities will start to come his way," Lynch said. "As I said, we've been monitoring it closely. we'll see how that shapes up."
#49ers John Lynch on Eric Reid: pic.twitter.com/qkKS39FPDt
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) March 22, 2018
Reid also took a moment to speak with reporters and suggested that he would no longer be kneeling during the national anthem should he land with an NFL team in 2018. It is a similar stance that quarterback Colin Kaepernick took in 2017 after starting the movement the year before. Kaepernick remains available after opting out of his contract with the 49ers last year.
Reid says his agent has been in contact with a couple of NFL teams, but no offers have been made, and no visits are scheduled.
"As I said before, I stand by what I've done, I know why I've done it," Reid told reporters. "My faith in God is the reason. I can go to sleep at night confident that I did what I was called to do. I'm just going to stay positive, keep trying to stay in shape, and wait to see what happens."
Would returning to the 49ers be an option Reid would entertain?
"That's not a decision that I would make," he said. "They'd have to offer me a contract, which they haven't. We'll see what happens."
Eric Reid says his agent is talking with multiple teams. No visits set. He said he won't be kneeling during anthem. 49ers John Lynch optimistic Reid's free agency will lead soon to a team pic.twitter.com/8GHZqORz79
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) March 22, 2018
Eric Reid says his agent has been in contact with a couple of teams. The #49ers have not offered him a contract. pic.twitter.com/WliEdH4qCT
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) March 22, 2018
Over his five-year NFL career, Reid has 70 game appearances, started all but one of those games, registered 318 combined tackles, 10 interceptions, a sack, 34 passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.
Videos courtesy of Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group and Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
