Carolina Panthers: Was releasing Eric Reid a mistake?
By Dean Jones
Why did the Panthers release Reid?
With a new regime brings with it different ideas. This is particularly evident with the Carolina Panthers this offseason and has left Eric Reid as the odd man out.
Head coach Matt Rhule is starting over and expectations of a playoff run could not be lower in 2020. This gives the former Baylor shot-caller with a free pass to build something new and this normally takes time in the NFL.
They at least haven’t left themselves short in potential replacements for Reid. Tre Boston re-signed with the Panthers on a three-year deal worth $18 million and Juston Burris was also brought in on a two-year, $8 million deal.
This gives Carolina two starting options from which to build going forward. They also represent cheaper alternatives to Reid and come with far less scrutiny given his outspoken nature of the way things are being handled culturally in the NFL.
To suggest any off the field issues were relating to Reid’s release would be foolish. Especially when one considers how much emotional support he received during his time with the franchise.
Reid became a victim of circumstance within a team of transition. He wasn’t the only one, with a series of big-name veterans also shown the door by the Panthers in recent weeks.
What will be interesting is if somebody else takes a chance on Reid given the amount of potential disruption he can cause.