To say Haason Reddick‘s 2024 season with the Jets was unusual would be an understatement.
After signing a one-year deal worth $14 million with the Buccaneers earlier this week, Reddick had three words to describe last season.
“Very bizarre,” Reddick said about last season. “Weird.”
After holding out six months amidst a contract dispute, Reddick didn’t wish to clarify why he thought final season was “bizarre.”
“Last year is last year,” Reddick stated. “The only thing on my mind is moving and I’m looking forward to the future and I’m looking forward to what I can bring to the team here.”
If final 12 months was weird for Reddick, he ought to look within the mirror. The Jets acquired Reddick in a commerce with the Eagles final March and stated he was trying ahead to a “new beginning.”
Nonetheless, Reddick, 30, refused to report back to the Jets for any of their spring exercises and missed necessary minicamp. He additionally didn’t present up for the beginning of coaching camp final July and later requested a commerce from the Jets after his contract calls for had been unmet.
Reddick’s personal company, CAA, additionally dropped him earlier than his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, negotiated an adjusted contract with the Jets of $9 million after he missed the primary seven video games of the 2024 season. As a result of he missed the preseason and 7 video games, Reddick forfeited $5.5 million of his $14.25 million base wage and was fined round $7 million.
So sure, final 12 months was weird, nevertheless it was solely as a result of Reddick made it that means. When he did return to the sector, Reddick hardly resembled the participant who registered double-digit sacks for 4 consecutive seasons.
The Jets acquired Reddick, hoping he can be a lacking piece to a crew anticipated to contend for a championship with Aaron Rodgers coming back from an Achilles heel harm and Davante Adams acquired in a commerce with the Raiders. However they completed 5-12 and Reddick was a non-factor throughout his 10 video games.
Reddick completed with 14 tackles and one sack, his lowest whole since 2019. Now, he’s in search of a bounce-back 12 months.
“It’s just a fresh start. I know everybody is worried about last year, but last year is last year,” Reddick stated. “I’m here now. Different mindset. Different space. Just ready to put the past behind me and continue to move forward, and what better place to do it than here?”
On a one-year prove-it deal, Tampa Bay might get a steal with Reddick. He registered 50.5 sacks in 4 years with the Cardinals, Panthers, and Eagles (2020-23). These forms of edge rushers don’t develop on timber.
At one time, Reddick was talked about in the identical breath because the Bengals defensive finish Trey Hendrickson and Browns defensive finish Myles Garrett. Assuming he’s locked in and centered, Reddick might be that very same defensive game-wrecker on the line of scrimmage that he was with the Eagles. That would assist a Buccaneers crew that has made the postseason 5 years in a row deal with the present Tremendous Bowl champion Eagles.
What must also assist Reddick is that his former linebackers coach in Arizona, Larry Foote, is now Tampa Bay’s run sport coordinator and outdoors linebackers coach. Reddick believes the Buccaneers’ scheme aligns along with his strengths.
“After talking to Footy and Coach [Todd] Bowles, their vision on how they plan to use me here was very intriguing and something that I knew I needed,” Reddick stated. “Outside of that, I felt like there were a team that were a few sure pieces away.
“I felt like I could come bring in my knowledge and bring my abilities and bring it with the guys that were already here and blend it with the guys that were already here. You got great pieces, you got Vita [Vea]. Just knowing I can come here and help out, I thought it would be fun.”
