The Carolina Panthers have released safety Eric Reid after just 29 games over two seasons with the team.
The move comes as a bit of a surprise as Reid just signed a three-year, $22 million contract extension with the Panthers last February. He was set to make $8 million this coming season.
"It's been a pleasure Carolina!," Reid tweeted. "I enjoyed my time and the support I received from the fans, media, teammates and staff there will be remembered. Looking forward to furthering my career in another city."
With two years remaining on Reid's contract, Carolina creates $3 million in cap space but will have to pay Reid $5 million with the move.
During his tenure in Carolina, Reid compiled five sacks, 201 tackles, 11 pass deflections and an interception.
Reid finished second on the team with 130 tackles last season.
Reid was a first-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers, before signing with the Panthers in 2018, amid controversy of his kneeling during the National Anthem. The signing brought a plethora of mixed emotions from fans.
Carolina was one of the only teams to take a shot on Reid as he believed he was blackballed by the NFL, along with his former 49ers teammate, Colin Kaepernick.
Reid had filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, which was later settled and he continued to criticize the NFL about Kaepernick not having signed with a team and other matters he felt were intentional.
During his first season, nearly every week he said he was being singled out for an inappropriately high number of drug tests because of his stances. The NFL Players Association debunked his claims.
Earlier this week, Carolina re-signed safety Tre Boston to a three-year contract and safety Juston Burris to a two-year deal. Making Reid expendable.