Eric Reid joins Colin Kaepernick in potential collusion scandal

Eric Reid has been on the free-agent market for less than two months, but he’s filed a grievance against the NFL, believing collusion is at work.

On Wednesday morning, free-agent safety Eric Reid filed a grievance against the National Football League, stating that collusion is keeping him from signing with one of the 32 clubs. Reid, 26, is a Pro Bowler who has ample talent and plenty of reason to believe a long-term deal was headed his way.

However, Reid also knelt during the national anthem with Colin Kaepernick, who did not play in the league last year following a free agency that saw no takers. Kaepernick is suing the NFL over the matter, something that stands to drag out for a bit.

As for Reid, this might be premature. The safety market has been incredibly slow for many of his fellow free agents, including stars such as Tre Boston and Kenny Vaccaro. While the frustration is understandable, filing a grievance against the league almost ensures that no team is going to touch Reid, and will explore other avenues to improve itself.

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With the draft behind us, the starting spots available to Reid and his fellow free agents are dwindling. Perhaps this is part of the reason the former San Francisco 49ers star felt it was the right time to make a legal play.

The NFLPA is supporting Reid through the process, hoping for a quick resolution. If Reid ends up not playing in 2018 and beyond, it would be a headline throughout the season, something the NFL certainly would like to avoid.