The Chiefs made a move to bolster their defense by signing former Houston Texans safety Justin Reid to a 3-year, $31.5 million contract on Monday night.
Kansas City's defense labored at the beginning of last year and displayed a number of holes in the secondary during the postseason, so they needed to acquire some defensive pieces during the offseason. Reid represents the Chiefs first outside free agent of the 2022 free agency period. Allen Robinson was expected to be their first signing at the beginning of the offseason but nothing came to fruition.
Reid entered the offseason ranked within the top 60 free agents. However, he would likely have been even higher on the list had he not been limited last year due to injuries.
Kansas City featured Tyrann Mathieu at the safety position in 2021. Mathieu is a talented veteran who sured up the secondary but injuries hampered his overall production. The Chiefs signing of Reid likely ends any chance of them re-signing Mathieu.
Article Continues BelowReid may not possess the same abilities as Mathieu at safety, but he is a 25-year old with plenty of upside. In 2021, he totaled 66 tackles and two interceptions for the Texans. However, he never received much national attention since he played for a porous Houston team. But playing in Kansas City as he enters the prime of his career could lead to a true breakout season for Reid.
The Chiefs will have him through his age 28 season and barring injury, this could end up being one of the best under the radar pickups of the offseason as the Chiefs look to return to the Super Bowl in 2022.