The New Orleans Saints will open their 2026 regular season on September 13 when they travel to Detroit to face the Lions, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting campaign. As part of a countdown to kickoff, safety Justin Reid, who wears number 21 for the team, has been selected as the featured player of the day.
Reid, a 29-year-old Louisiana native, joined the Saints during the 2025 free agency period on a three-year contract. Though his inaugural season with New Orleans started slowly, the veteran defensive back showed significant improvement as the year progressed, ultimately recording 72 tackles, one interception returned for a touchdown, and six pass breakups. His experience and familiarity with the secondary should prove invaluable as the Saints prepare for the upcoming season.
A Stanford University graduate, Reid was originally selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with Houston before joining the Kansas City Chiefs, where he contributed to three consecutive AFC championship teams and two Super Bowl victories. Over his eight-year NFL career, Reid has established himself as a reliable defensive force with multiple interceptions and consistently strong tackle totals.
With a full year in New Orleans’s defensive system, Reid is expected to play a critical role as one of the team’s most experienced secondary players heading into 2026.
