New Orleans Saints Add Former Panthers Cornerback Mike Reid Ahead of Training Camp

The New Orleans Saints made a change to their secondary as training camp opened Tuesday, signing former Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Reid while waiving defensive back Beanie Bishop.

With players reporting for camp, Reid immediately joins the competition for a backup role in the secondary and could also factor into the team’s special teams plans. While the move swaps one cornerback for another, it also reflects a shift in profile, as New Orleans replaces the more experienced Bishop with the taller, developmental Reid.

Reid Brings Length and College Production

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 200 pounds, Reid entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Panthers in 2025. During his first professional season, he spent time on the practice squads of both Carolina and the Seattle Seahawks before returning to the Panthers later in the year.

Prior to the NFL, Reid played four seasons at Monmouth before transferring to South Dakota for his final collegiate campaign. Across his college career, he recorded 171 tackles, 40 pass breakups and five interceptions.

His strongest season came in 2024, when he started all 13 games for South Dakota, led the team with two interceptions and earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference recognition.

Although his college résumé highlights his playmaking ability, Reid has yet to establish himself in regular-season NFL action. His chances of making the Saints’ roster will likely depend on proving he can handle outside coverage responsibilities while contributing on special teams.

His size could work in his favor, giving New Orleans another long cornerback capable of matching up with bigger receivers and contesting passes at the catch point.

Saints Part Ways With Beanie Bishop

The decision to waive Beanie Bishop adds another layer to the roster move.

Bishop joined New Orleans’ practice squad in December 2025 before signing a reserve/future contract following the season. Prior to that, he enjoyed a productive rookie campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, appearing in all 17 games, starting six contests and finishing with 39 tackles, seven passes defended and four interceptions.

His performance earned him a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team, with two of his interceptions coming against Aaron Rodgers during Pittsburgh’s win over the New York Jets.

Unlike Reid, Bishop had already shown he could produce at the NFL level. However, at 5-foot-10 and 184 pounds, he offered a much different physical profile. Reid’s additional height and length may better fit what the Saints are looking for at outside cornerback as they evaluate talent during camp.

The signing does not suggest Reid is in line for a major defensive role immediately. Instead, he enters camp as another young player competing for one of the final roster spots while giving the coaching staff an opportunity to develop a bigger defensive back.

Saints Place Four Players on Injury Lists

Along with the roster changes, New Orleans also placed four players on active injury designations.

Tight end Cody Hardy and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris were placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, while defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver and wide receiver Mason Tipton were added to the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

These designations allow the Saints to limit those players at the start of training camp while maintaining roster flexibility. Before final roster cuts on August 30, the organization will determine whether those players remain on the active roster, transition to reserve lists or receive another designation.

For Reid, the objective is straightforward: capitalize on training camp and the preseason by turning his combination of size, collegiate production and practice squad experience into a place on the Saints’ 53-man roster.