The short 65-mile stretch between Prairieville, Louisiana Justin Reid’s hometown and his new NFL home in New Orleans feels practically nonexistent.
Now entering his eighth NFL season, the veteran safety has fulfilled a lifelong dream by signing a three-year deal with the Saints as an unrestricted free agent. For Reid, playing for his home state team carries deep personal significance.
“You grow up watching the Saints,” Reid shared in his introductory press conference on Friday. “Everyone remembers that legendary 2009 Super Bowl win and what it meant for Louisiana. I have friends who have entire rooms dedicated to that moment.”
Playing for the Saints was always a dream, but Reid didn’t know if it would ever become a reality. Now that it has, he’s determined to make the most of it.
“I know what it means to this city to wear the black and gold,” he said. “Winning here isn’t just about football it’s about uplifting an entire state. That’s my motivation. We have the talent, we just need to put the pieces together and fully buy into the system. And I believe in it.”
The feeling is mutual, as New Orleans made a strong push to land one of the most coveted free agents on the market.
Reid, a key contributor to Kansas City’s back-to-back Super Bowl wins (LVII and LVIII), brings a wealth of experience to the Saints’ defense. Last season, he started 16 games, recording 85 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups. In three playoff games, he added 19 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup.
Across his seven-year career, Reid has tallied 10 interceptions, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 46 passes defensed, 23 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits, and 580 total tackles.
Even before signing, the excitement within his family was palpable.
“When I told my family that signing with the Saints was a real possibility, my phone started blowing up,” Reid said with a smile. “Everyone was saying, ‘Sign with the Saints, sign with the Saints!’”
Now, with the deal official, Reid is ready to embrace his homecoming and help bring a winning culture back to New Orleans.
