Denny Medley-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Following the surprise retirement of New Orleans Saints safety and Louisiana legend Tyrann Mathieu, a new burning question caught fire around the team. How would it replace such a productive player and natural leader?
Options like third-year safety Jordan Howden and rookie Jonas Sanker were often discussed. The team also went out, hours later, and began the process of acquiring a new veteran safety in Julian Blackmon.
But truthfully, New Orleans already had Mathieu’s replacement in the building: Justin Reid.
Okay, “replacement” is a little strong and even Reid thinks so.
“I was excited to come here and play with him,” Reid said after Friday’s practice. “I never thought of myself as a replacement for Tyrann Mathieu because there is no replacing Tyrann Mathieu.”
That may be true, but Reid will certainly be asked to step into Mathieu’s shoes, at the very least. He will be the team’s solution to the loss of production and leadership that comes with the legendary safety’s retirement.
“A GIFT FOR YOU!”
Justin Reid with the Christmas pick! 🎁#KCvsPIT on @Netflix pic.twitter.com/vA9YoCh8dY
— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2024
Interestingly, it won’t be the first time. Reid has stepped into larger roles following the departure of Mathieu with both the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs in his past.
It’s one thing to have on-field experience. It’s another to arrive with previous experience stepping into the role of a departing player twice.
The task now becomes appointing the safety that will line up next to Reid. While the newcomer’s roles are expansive in coordinator Brandon Staley’s new defensive system, Reid is looking for one thing from the guy that lines up beside him.
“Chemistry,” Reid said. “Being able to communicate without communicating. Like, I can see him showing a look and I’m just going to go and marry that look with my alignment, too. Just to present a picture for the opposing quarterback. Once you start getting on that train where you can start communicating and you guys are on the same page and you can just kind of give each other a look and you’re both thinking the same thing. That’s when you’re going to really start making some plays.”
As for who will best provide that, the jury is still out. Howden, Sanker and Blackmon appear to be the front-runners to land the job and Howden is out to an early start in first team reps next to Reid so far. But rotation is likely to give additional opportunities to all options.
“All these guys are very cerebral,” Reid said. “Me and Jordan have a great chemistry and relationship on the field as well as everyone else that’s been stepping out there with me.”
