Logo

Head Coach Kellen Moore Speaks Out to Defend Safety Justin Reid After NFL’s $17,389 Fine – Ready to Take Full Responsibility for His Player and Determined to Seek Justice for the Saints

New Orleans, Louisiana. 17/11/2025

The New Orleans Saints enter their bye week under a wave of controversy after the NFL announced a 17,389 USD fine for safety Justin Reid following his hit on Bryce Young in the win over the Carolina Panthers. The league’s decision immediately ignited backlash among Saints fans. especially because the hit wiped out a potential interception by Demario Davis on the Panthers’ opening drive. But above all the noise. head coach Kellen Moore delivered a firm. unwavering response in defense of his player – and sent a powerful message about the identity of this team.

In his early-week press conference. Moore made it clear he disagreed with the NFL’s evaluation of the play. emphasizing that Reid was simply playing with the speed and intensity expected of a defensive leader.

Moore spoke with conviction. making it clear that Reid would not stand alone:

“Justin Reid always plays with heart and respect for the game. He never intends to harm anyone. and that moment happened in a split second at a speed that’s hard to even process. If there is any responsibility that needs to be taken. I’m willing to take it for him. The Saints will not allow unfair judgment to overshadow what this team truly stands for.”

Moore also explained that the hit occurred as Reid was closing in aggressively to protect his teammates during the contested play. Any hesitation at that moment could have resulted in a major gain for the Panthers.

Justin Reid – who has started all 10 games for New Orleans this season – has been one of the few bright spots on a team sitting at 2–8. A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs. Reid brings leadership and a professional edge that Moore values immensely.

Even though the fine cost Reid nearly 17,400 USD. the Saints’ locker room has only grown stronger. Many players believe the punishment was excessive for what they saw as a “50-50 football play.” and Moore’s public support has only galvanized the team further.

For Moore. this isn’t just about a fine. It’s about justice. about ensuring his players are treated fairly.

The Saints return to action on November 23 against the Atlanta Falcons. and with Moore standing firmly behind Justin Reid. it’s clear New Orleans will head into the next matchup with more than just competitive fire – they’ll carry the conviction that no one in this locker room fights alone.

6 views
Just One Hour After Being Cut by the Cowboys, a 2× Pro Bowl Cornerback Suddenly Turns His Heart Toward San Francisco — And a Message Aimed Straight at His Former Team Is Shocking the Entire NFL
The Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 season didn’t just end — it quietly collapsed. Officially eliminated from playoff contention in late December after Philadelphia clinched the division, Dallas was left staring at a second straight postseason absence, a stark contrast to the three consecutive playoff runs from 2021 to 2023. And then came the move that sent a ripple across the league. The Cowboys cut Trevon Diggs. Around the NFL, most expected a familiar pattern: agents making calls, teams waiting for waivers to clear, front offices taking a breath. Instead, the league barely had time to react. Less than one hour after his release, all signs began pointing in one direction — San Francisco. This wasn’t a rumor born from desperation. It was a pivot with intent. Diggs’ exit from Dallas wasn’t about talent suddenly disappearing. The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback had become synonymous with high-impact defense — ball skills that change games, instincts that bait quarterbacks into mistakes, and a confidence that never wavered. But injuries, internal friction, and a team no longer chasing January football made the separation inevitable. San Francisco, meanwhile, represents the opposite end of the spectrum. A roster built to win now. A defense that thrives on pressure. A locker room that measures seasons not by development, but by rings. As the speculation intensified, Diggs offered a brief statement that instantly reframed the conversation — one that never mentioned Dallas, yet said everything it needed to say: “I’ve been on top of this league before, and I didn’t choose San Francisco just to be here. I chose the 49ers because I believe this is a place that can take me back to the top one more time.” No bitterness. No explanations. Just direction. Inside the 49ers’ building, the message landed clearly. This wasn’t a player seeking relevance — it was a veteran aligning himself with meaningful football. Diggs’ potential arrival immediately expands what San Francisco can do defensively, especially in high-stakes matchups where coverage flexibility decides games. From a tactical standpoint, the fit is obvious. With the 49ers’ front consistently collapsing pockets and forcing rushed decisions, Diggs wouldn’t be asked to carry the defense. Instead, he’d be unleashed — press-man assignments on elite receivers, aggressive zone reads that punish late throws, and the freedom to gamble when quarterbacks feel pressure to force plays. In that environment, Diggs’ risk-reward profile shifts decisively toward reward. The league context only sharpens the contrast. Dallas is already thinking about resets, contracts, and offseason questions. San Francisco is preparing for January. At this stage of the calendar, elite players aren’t searching for comfort — they’re searching for relevance on the biggest stage. In the span of an hour, Trevon Diggs didn’t lose his footing. He changed his trajectory. From a team watching the playoffs to one built to shape them, the message was unmistakable. In the NFL, timing is everything — and sometimes, the fastest decisions speak the loudest. And this one spoke volumes.