SANTA CLARA — No player has been as synonymous with the 49ers’ defense over the last five years as safety Eric Reid. Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, though, could very well be Reid’s last in a San Francisco uniform.
Reid, 26, is slated to become a free agent in the offseason with the five-year contract he signed as a rookie in 2013 about to expire.
“Of course I have,” Reid said when asked about the chance that it will be his last game with the 49ers.
“Five years of my life spent here. Possibly my last game coming up. It’s definitely crossed my mind. … When free agency comes, I’ll deal with it.”
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday he hasn’t spoken to any of San Francisco’s pending free agents, saying that those talks could start Monday when the team begins its exit interviews.
Asked how he’s dealt with not knowing what his future holds this season, Reid said, “I’ve had a lot of talks with my wife about it. Just the uncertainly, but also the possibilities. Like I said, at this point, it’s all hypothetical. I’m still a 49er. Still got a game to play and still have a job to do and that’s what I’m worried about.”
Reid has a combined 61 tackles in 12 games this season, third most on the 49ers behind cornerback Dontae Johnson and linebacker Reuben Foster. He missed four games with an injury to his PCL in September, and also played one game at inside linebacker.
The 49ers will be flush with roughly $116 million in salary cap space in the offseason, the most in the NFL. But they will also return Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmie Ward and Adrian Colbert at safety, leaving some questions as to whether some of that money might be better spent elsewhere.
Still, if there’s a person on the 49ers’ who best recognizes what Reid brings, it’s general manager John Lynch, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection as a defensive back from 1997-2007.
“It’s really cool any time you have a GM that’s actually been a player,” said Reid, a Pro Bowl pick in 2013. “He has a different outlook on the game. He understands a little more than just watching film or just doing the scouting report. It’s been really cool to have him out here with us.”
Reid still sees himself as a safety in the long run, whether it’s in San Francisco or elsewhere.
“I trust my ability to play in any defense,” Reid said. “I do like playing strong safety. Since my first year playing it, I always enjoyed it.”
The 49ers have gone 32-47 in the last five years with their only playoff appearance coming in 2013. Still, the team has a newfound enthusiasm as it rides a four-game win streak with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback.
“It’s been fun. It’s been fun to win,” Reid said. “Having been (on the losing end) for a while, to finally get to win, it just makes coming to work even better.”
Does it make him want to come to work more here?
“It’s a business,” Reid said. “When free agency comes, I’ll treat it as such.”:
Reid has also been at the forefront of a peaceful protest the last two years by kneeling for the national anthem. Reid has had the support of owner Jed York and the 49ers organization, but has also faced heavy criticism in other circles for his actions.
Is he concerned about being ostracized by NFL owners if he does hit the free agent market?
“I wouldn’t use the word concerned. I would say that I understand that that’s a possibility, and I’m completely fine with that,” Reid said. “The things that I’ve done, I stand by and I’ve done that for my own personal beliefs. Like I said, I’m fine with whatever outcome happens because if it.”
Does he think any backlash might happen, as was perceived to be the case with former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick?
“It’s a possibility. There are probably teams that won’t want to talk to me because of it,” Reid said. “I’m hopeful that will be on a team next year but if not, that’s OK with me.”
