Justin Reid
Justin Reid (born February 15, 1997) is an American football safety for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Prairieville, Louisiana, Reid attended Dutchtown High School before playing college football at Stanford University, where he earned second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press and Football Writers Association of America as a junior in 2017 after recording 99 tackles and five interceptions.[1] Selected by the Houston Texans in the third round (68th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, Reid quickly established himself as a starter, amassing 7 interceptions and 2 sacks over his first four seasons with the team from 2018 to 2021.[2] In 2022, he signed a three-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, contributing to their defensive backfield and helping secure back-to-back Super Bowl victories in Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles and Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers. In his career, he has started all 13 postseason games, recording 79 tackles.[3] In March 2025, Reid signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Saints as a free agent, entering his eighth NFL season at age 28 and bringing his career totals of 632 tackles (454 solo), 12 interceptions, and versatile experience across safety positions to bolster New Orleans' secondary (as of 2025).[4][3]Early life and education
Family and upbringing
Justin Reid was born on February 15, 1997, in Prairieville, Louisiana, a suburb in Ascension Parish.[5][6] He was raised in a close-knit, athletic family by his parents, Eric Reid Sr. and Sharon Guillory-Reid. Eric Sr., an All-American hurdler on the LSU track team, and Sharon, who played tight end and defensive end on her high school football team, instilled a strong emphasis on discipline and physical activity from an early age.[6][7][8] Reid is the youngest of four siblings, including his older brother Eric Reid Jr., a fellow NFL safety; sister Christiana; and brother Ryan, all of whom shared in the family's supportive environment in Prairieville.[6][9] Reid's upbringing in Ascension Parish was shaped by the region's tight community ties and Southern values, with his family's athletic heritage providing a foundational influence on his personal development, though specific non-athletic pursuits from his early years remain less documented in public records.[10][7]High school career
Justin Reid attended Dutchtown High School in Geismar, Louisiana, where he initially participated in soccer as a freshman before transitioning to football at the encouragement of head coach Benny Saia.[11] Despite limited prior experience beyond middle school, Reid adapted quickly to the safety position, drawing inspiration from his older brother Eric's success at the same role.[11] During his senior season in 2014, Reid emerged as a defensive standout for the Griffins, who finished 4-6 and exited the playoffs in the first round.[12] He earned first-team All-District 5-5A honors and honorable mention on the Louisiana Class 5A All-State team, becoming the only player from Ascension Parish selected for the latter.[12] Reid also competed in track and field, placing third in school history for the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.44 seconds that year.[13] Reid's on-field performances, including his instincts and tackling ability, drew national attention, leading to an invitation to Nike's elite "The Opening" camp.[14] Academically strong with a 30 ACT score and high GPA, he attracted scholarship offers from Ivy League programs such as Brown and Yale, alongside major football powers including TCU, Oklahoma, LSU, Notre Dame, and Stanford.[12][15] On National Signing Day in February 2015, Reid committed to Stanford, selecting the Cardinal over finalists LSU and Notre Dame during a ceremony at Dutchtown.[16]College career
Reid enrolled at Stanford University in 2015, where he majored in management science and engineering.[17] As a safety, he contributed to the Cardinal's defense over three seasons, playing in 39 games and developing versatility across the secondary.[17] His academic performance earned him Pac-12 All-Academic first-team honors in 2017.[1] As a freshman in 2015, Reid appeared in all 13 games with one start, recording 23 tackles (16 solo) and one interception while adapting to the college level in a rotational role.[18] In his sophomore year of 2016, he became a regular starter, playing in 13 games with 10 starts and tallying 57 tackles (37 solo) as Stanford's defense ranked among the Pac-12's best.[18] Reid's junior season in 2017 marked his breakout, starting all 14 games and leading the team with 99 tackles (52 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, and six pass breakups.[1] His five interceptions paced the Pac-12 and ranked eighth nationally, showcasing his ball skills and range; he averaged 7.1 tackles per game while rotating through multiple positions in the secondary, including free safety and nickel.[19] Reid's performance in 2017 earned him significant recognition, including second-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the Associated Press (AP), as well as first-team All-Pac-12 selection.[20] Over his college career, he accumulated 179 tackles (105 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, and 20 pass breakups.[17] Following Stanford's 2017 season, Reid announced on January 9, 2018, that he would forgo his senior year and declare for the 2018 NFL Draft, citing his readiness after three productive seasons.[21]Professional career
Pre-draft process
Following his standout college career at Stanford, where he earned All-Pac-12 honors and led the conference in interceptions, Justin Reid entered the 2018 NFL Draft as a projected mid-round safety prospect. His draft stock was bolstered by his versatility and ball skills, drawing comparisons to NFL starters like Tyrann Mathieu. Reid participated in several key pre-draft events to showcase his athleticism and skills. At the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds, recorded a 36.5-inch vertical jump, and completed 16 bench press repetitions, metrics that highlighted his speed and explosiveness for a safety. He also attended Stanford's pro day on March 14, 2018, where he performed position drills emphasizing his coverage range and tackling technique, impressing scouts from multiple teams. Additionally, Reid took part in private workouts and interviews, including a visit to the Houston Texans' facility, as part of the pre-draft evaluation process. Scouting reports praised Reid's strengths in zone coverage, where his instincts and ball-tracking ability allowed him to break on passes effectively, along with his physicality in run support. However, evaluators noted weaknesses such as occasional lapses in man coverage against quicker receivers and a need to improve his angles in pursuit. Analysts from NFL Network and DraftScout projected him as a third-round talent, valuing his football IQ and special teams potential. The Houston Texans selected Reid in the third round, 68th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft on April 27. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4.06 million, including a $1.04 million signing bonus, on May 11, 2018.[22]Houston Texans tenure
Reid was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round (68th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, signing a four-year rookie contract worth $4.06 million. As a free safety, he quickly became an integral part of the Texans' secondary, contributing to two playoff appearances during his tenure while establishing himself as a reliable starter known for his ball skills and tackling ability. Over four seasons, Reid appeared in 57 games, starting 53, and recorded 315 combined tackles, seven interceptions, two sacks, and two forced fumbles, helping anchor a defense that ranked among the league's better units in pass defense during his early years.[3] In his rookie season of 2018, Reid started 12 of 16 games, recording 88 combined tackles (70 solo), three interceptions—including a 101-yard pick-six against the Washington Redskins—and 10 pass deflections.[23] His contributions were pivotal in the Texans' secondary, which allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game in the NFL (171.0), as Houston finished 11-5 and clinched a Wild Card playoff berth. Reid started in the Texans' wildcard loss to the Indianapolis Colts, logging five tackles.[4] Reid's 2019 campaign showcased his resilience, as he started all 15 games he played, tallying 78 combined tackles (57 solo), two interceptions, and five pass deflections despite playing through a torn labrum in his shoulder that required offseason surgery.[24] His toughness earned him the Texans' Ed Block Courage Award, voted by teammates for exemplifying courage, sportsmanship, and a positive influence.[25] The award highlighted his team-first attitude amid the injury, and he helped the 10-6 Texans secure another AFC South title and playoff spot, starting in their divisional-round defeat to the Ravens with four tackles.[26] By 2020, Reid had evolved into a full-time leader in the secondary, starting all 13 games before a season-ending thumb injury sidelined him for the final three contests; he amassed 83 combined tackles (62 solo) and a career-high two sacks. His versatility added pressure on quarterbacks, contributing to a defense that ranked 12th in sacks (42), though the Texans struggled to a 4-12 record without a playoff appearance. Entering 2021 as the final year of his rookie deal, Reid maintained his starting role, appearing in 13 games with 66 combined tackles (41 solo), two interceptions, and one forced fumble, providing consistent coverage despite the team's 4-13 finish and missing the postseason again.[27] Following the 2021 season, Reid became an unrestricted free agent after the Texans declined to extend his contract or exercise any additional options, allowing him to sign a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in March 2022.[28]Kansas City Chiefs tenure
Reid signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent on March 14, 2022, agreeing to a three-year contract worth $31.5 million that included $20 million in guaranteed money.[29][30] The move addressed the Chiefs' need at safety following the departure of Tyrann Mathieu, positioning Reid as a versatile defender capable of playing in the box, slot, or deep safety under coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.[31] In the 2022 regular season, Reid integrated seamlessly into Kansas City's defense, starting all 17 games and registering 83 total tackles (59 solo), one sack, and seven pass deflections while helping limit opponents to 21.7 points per game.[32] He also contributed on special teams, squibbing kickoffs in critical situations to prevent returns.[33] During the playoffs, Reid anchored the secondary en route to Super Bowl LVII, starting all four games and recording 20 tackles; in the 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, he tallied seven tackles (five solo) and one pass deflection to help secure the Chiefs' second championship in four years.[32][34] Reid's performance elevated in 2023, where he started 16 games and posted career-best totals of 95 tackles (74 solo), three sacks, one interception, and seven pass deflections, including a tip-drill that led to an interception against the Chicago Bears.[32][35] His versatility shone in the postseason, with 27 tackles over four games, culminating in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers; there, Reid shared a half-sack with George Karlaftis to stall a key drive by quarterback Brock Purdy, contributing to the Chiefs' 25-22 overtime triumph and back-to-back titles.[32][36] Building on that success, Reid started all 16 games in the 2024 regular season, leading the secondary with 85 tackles (59 solo), five tackles for loss, and one interception—such as a red-zone pick against Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen that halted a scoring threat.[32][37][38] The Chiefs clinched the AFC's top seed at 15-2, with Reid adding seven tackles in the divisional playoff win over the Houston Texans.[3] After three seasons in Kansas City, where he amassed 263 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, and 21 pass deflections across 49 games, Reid entered free agency in 2025.[32][39]New Orleans Saints tenure
On March 12, 2025, Justin Reid signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints worth $31.5 million, including $22.25 million guaranteed, marking his return to professional football in his home state of Louisiana after seven seasons away.[37][40] The deal positioned Reid as a key addition to the Saints' secondary, reuniting him with the region where he grew up in Prairieville, just 65 miles from New Orleans, and fulfilling a personal milestone as a Louisiana native and former Dutchtown High School standout.[41][42] In the 2025 season, Reid has solidified his role as a starting safety, appearing in all 10 games through Week 10 with 52 total tackles (30 solo), three passes defensed, and 0.5 sacks.[43] Notable performances include seven tackles (four solo) and a half-sack in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, contributing to the Saints' defensive efforts despite a loss, and a season-high 13 tackles (seven solo) with a pass defensed in Week 9 versus the Los Angeles Rams.[44] His consistent starts have bolstered the secondary's coverage and run support, helping to stabilize a unit adjusting to new defensive schemes under head coach Dennis Allen. Reid's homecoming has resonated deeply with fans and the Louisiana community, evoking widespread excitement for the "local boy" returning to play for his childhood team, as expressed in his introductory press conference where he described the move as a "dream come true."[45] Social media and local media reactions highlighted the emotional significance, with Saints supporters celebrating the infusion of regional pride and Reid's versatility alongside veterans like Tyrann Mathieu.[46] Off the field, Reid has continued community involvement, earning the NFL Players Association's Week 6 Community MVP award in October 2025 for initiatives supporting Louisiana youth and families, building on his prior relief efforts in the state.[47] As of November 20, 2025, Reid's ongoing contributions suggest a strong foundation for his tenure, with the three-year deal extending through 2027 and positioning him as a potential long-term leader in the Saints' defense amid their push for playoff contention.[30] His integration has enhanced team morale, leveraging his experience from two Super Bowl-winning seasons to mentor younger players and adapt to New Orleans' high-energy fanbase.[48]Career statistics
Regular season
Reid's regular season statistics span his tenures with the Houston Texans from 2018 to 2021, the Kansas City Chiefs from 2022 to 2024, and the New Orleans Saints in 2025.[3] The following table summarizes his key defensive statistics year by year:| Year | Team | G | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | Int | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | HOU | 16 | 12 | 88 | 70 | 18 | 0.0 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| 2019 | HOU | 15 | 15 | 78 | 57 | 21 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 2020 | HOU | 13 | 13 | 83 | 62 | 21 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2021 | HOU | 13 | 13 | 66 | 41 | 25 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 2022 | KC | 17 | 17 | 83 | 59 | 24 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2023 | KC | 16 | 16 | 95 | 74 | 21 | 3.0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 2024 | KC | 16 | 16 | 87 | 61 | 26 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| 2025 | NO | 10 | 10 | 52 | 30 | 22 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Postseason
Reid made his postseason debut with the Houston Texans in the 2018 season, starting in the wild card playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts on January 5, 2019, where he recorded three tackles and two pass breakups.[3] In the 2019 season, he started both playoff games for the Texans, accumulating 10 tackles and one pass breakup during the wild card victory over the Buffalo Bills and the divisional round defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.[3] After joining the Chiefs, Reid participated in three consecutive postseason runs from 2022 to 2024, starting all 10 games and helping secure victories in Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII.[3] In the 2022 playoffs, he tallied 20 tackles and one pass breakup across the divisional win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Super Bowl triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles.[3] The 2023 postseason saw him achieve career playoff highs with 27 tackles and 1.5 sacks in four games, including a notable 0.5 sack on Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud during the wild card win against the Texans; his efforts continued through the divisional victory over the Buffalo Bills, the AFC Championship victory over the Baltimore Ravens—where he earned praise for his run-stopping presence—and the Super Bowl LVIII win versus the San Francisco 49ers.[3] In the 2024 playoffs, Reid contributed 19 tackles and one pass breakup in three starts.[3] Across his 13 career postseason starts, Reid has amassed 79 tackles (58 solo), 1.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and four tackles for loss, demonstrating consistent reliability in high-stakes games without recording an interception.[3][2]| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Total Tackles | Solo | Assisted | Sacks | Interceptions | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | HOU | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | HOU | 2 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | KC | 3 | 3 | 20 | 17 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | KC | 4 | 4 | 27 | 18 | 9 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | KC | 3 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 13 | 13 | 79 | 58 | 21 | 1.5 | 0 | 5 |