Eric Reid will continue collusion case after signing with Panthers

Eric Reid will continue his collusion case against the NFL even after signing with the Carolina Panthers last week, the veteran safety said on Monday, according to ESPN's David Newton.

The 26-year-old safety spent nearly seven months as a free agent before being picked up, despite establishing himself as a starting-caliber player over the previous five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Reid believes NFL owners colluded to keep him out of the league because of his weekly kneeling during the national anthem.

The Panthers signed Reid without asking him if he'd stop protesting social injustices during the anthem. The Pro Bowler said he's mulling other ways to make a statement without dropping to a knee.

"I'm still evaluating the scope of our country, and I'll make that decision later," he said.

Reid and former 49ers teammate Colin Kaepernick are the two players most associated with kneeling during the anthem. The NFLPA filed a collusion lawsuit against the NFL on Reid's behalf in May, and Kaepernick is also suing the NFL for collusion.

Reid said the 49ers also offered him a contract. He chose to sign with the Panthers "because they had a better offer."

Reid's one-year deal with the Panthers contains a base salary of $1.21 million, and it could be worth up to $2 million if he hits incentives.