Justin Reid Bio
Justin Quintin Reid, born on February 15, 1997, in Prairieville, Louisiana, is an American professional football safety for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). A product of Stanford University, Reid entered the league as a third-round pick of the Houston Texans in the 2018 NFL Draft and has built a reputation as a reliable starter and postseason contributor. Across his NFL tenure, he has earned two Super Bowl championships, showcasing his value on championship rosters. Reid stands 185 centimeters tall and plays at approximately 94 kilograms, combining size with ball skills at the safety position.
Early Life and Background
Justin Quintin Reid grew up in the Prairieville area of Louisiana, where he attended Dutchtown High School in nearby Geismar. He developed his football foundation in the local high school system before drawing attention from major college programs. Following his prep career, Reid committed to Stanford University to play college football, choosing the Cardinal over several other suitors. He spent his formative years balancing academics and athletics in Palo Alto, sharpening the instincts that would later define his professional profile.
Path to the NFL
Reid played at Stanford from 2015 to 2017, where he established himself as a productive defender. Over his three college seasons, he accumulated 170 tackles, six interceptions, and one sack, demonstrating a knack for both run support and pass coverage. After his junior season, he announced on January 9, 2018, that he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL Draft. Reid impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine, finishing second among safeties in the 40-yard dash, third in the short shuttle and three-cone drill, and ranking among the top performers in the broad jump. Scouts regarded him as a first- or second-round talent, and he was later named a first-team All-Pac-12 performer for 2017.
Justin Reid Career
Houston Texans Era (2018–2021)
The Houston Texans selected Reid in the third round, 68th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft, and he signed a four-year rookie contract. He made his regular-season debut in the opener at the New England Patriots and soon earned the starting free safety role. Reid recorded his first career interception against the Dallas Cowboys and returned another pick 101 yards for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins, finishing his rookie year with 88 combined tackles, three interceptions, and a defensive touchdown. He became a full-time starter in 2019 and 2020, contributing to an AFC South title and an AFC Divisional Round appearance after the 2019 season.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2022–2024)
On May 14, 2022, Reid signed a three-year, $31.50 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs and was named a starting safety alongside Juan Thornhill. He started all 17 regular-season games in his first Chiefs year and helped the team reach Super Bowl LVII, where the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35. Reid remained a fixture under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, starting alongside Bryan Cook and posting 95 combined tackles, three sacks, and an interception in 2023. The following season he appeared in Super Bowl LVIII, a 25–22 win over the San Francisco 49ers, securing his second championship. In 2024, he recorded 87 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, and two interceptions while earning a top-ten Pro Football Focus grade among qualifying safeties.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025–Present)
On March 12, 2025, Reid signed a three-year, $31.50 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, with $22.25 million guaranteed. He joined the defensive backfield and quickly made an impact, intercepting a Kirk Cousins pass that ricocheted off Kyle Pitts and returning it 49 yards for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12. That pick-six marked the Saints’ first interception returned for a touchdown since 2023, underscoring his playmaking arrival in New Orleans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reid is valued for his coverage range, ball-hawking instincts, and willingness as a tackler in the box. He pairs dependable open-field tackling with the range to patrol deep halves, and his combine-tested speed has translated into consistent tight-end matchup assignments. His tenure in Kansas City demonstrated adaptability in multiple safety roles, while his work alongside veteran safeties has reinforced his pre-snap communication and route recognition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reid’s career highlights include winning Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII with the Kansas City Chiefs, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2017, and recording a 101-yard interception return for a touchdown in his 2018 rookie season. He also distinguished himself by filling in as a kicker during the 2022 season opener following an injury to Harrison Butker, converting extra points and producing touchbacks. His pick-six against the Atlanta Falcons in 2025 stands as his first major milestone with the Saints.
Justin Reid Career Wins
Justin Quintin Reid has compiled a résumé marked by team success, including two Super Bowl championships with the Kansas City Chiefs across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. While individual sack and interception totals vary by year, his consistent availability and starting role have been central to defenses that reached three consecutive Super Bowls.
Super Bowl Highlights
Reid started in Super Bowl LVII and recorded seven combined tackles in a 38–35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. A year later, he started in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, contributing five combined tackles and a half-sack in a 25–22 win. In Super Bowl LIX, he added seven combined tackles in a 40–22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, closing his Kansas City tenure with three straight Super Bowl appearances.
Justin Reid Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Reid comes from a football family, with his older brother, Eric, also playing safety in the NFL. The Reid brothers represent one of the notable sibling tandems at the safety position in recent NFL history, with both reaching the professional level.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Reid is a two-time champion of the Chess.com BlitzChamps tournaments, having defeated Kyler Murray in the grand final of each event. He has received chess coaching from James Canty, reflecting a competitive streak that extends beyond the gridiron. His public presence includes verified accounts on Twitter and Instagram under his full name.
2025 Season Performance
Justin Quintin Reid joined the New Orleans Saints in March 2025 on a three-year deal, stepping into a starting safety role. His early tenure produced a signature moment in Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons, when his interception return for a touchdown energized the Saints’ secondary. The play signaled an immediate cultural and schematic fit within the New Orleans defense.
Reid’s veteran experience from two Super Bowl-winning defenses has translated into pre-snap communication and run-fit reliability. Pairing that resume with the Saints’ defensive line, he offers range and tackling in the back end as New Orleans pursues a stronger postseason push. With the 2025 season still unfolding, Reid’s production in coverage and run support will remain a focal point of the team’s defensive outlook.