Eric Reid signed with the Carolina Panthers last season after injuries left their safety position depleted. Da’Norris Searcy started opposite Mike Adams to start the season on the back end of the Panthers defense, but an early concussion landed the former on injured reserve.
Left with veteran backup Colin Jones and rookie Rashaan Gaulden as serviceable replacements, general manager Marty Hurney elected to sign Reid, who had been a free agent. The former first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers had been out of football since the 2017 season.