While the Super Bowl is the biggest NFL news to take place on February 11th, the Philadelphia Eagles are making headlines of their own. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, star pass-rusher Haason Reddick has requested a trade, and the Eagles have permitted him to search for a new team.
Now, the odds of a Haason Reddick trade going down in the next few hours are slim to none. However, teams will be interested and will start doing their due diligence as soon as possible. While Reddick is no Myles Garrett, the former first-round pick and two-time Pro Bowler is one of the better pass rushers in the league.
Sources: #Eagles All-Pro edge rusher Haason Reddick has received permission to seek a trade following another disruptive season featuring double digit sacks. The 29-year old with 27 sacks over two seasons in Philly could land elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/WxIGTac24M
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 11, 2024
Originally selected with the 13th-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Haason Reddick seeks a trade after yet another strong season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Starting in all 17 games, Reddick recorded 11 sacks, 38 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, and 23 quarterback hits while helping guide the Eagles back to the playoffs. Now entering his age-29 season, the edge defender should have a few more productive seasons left in his tank.
Philadelphia Eagles Grant Haason Reddick Permission to Seek Trade
According to Mike Garafolo, one of the reasons for the Haason Reddick trade request is that he’s unhappy with his current contract. He originally signed a three-year deal with the Eagles for modest money back in the 2022 offseason and has easily outplayed his contract. With 27 sacks in the past two seasons, Reddick feels he deserves a raise, and Philadelphia doesn’t seem to be interested in handing one out.
In a vacuum, just about every team in the league would like to trade for someone as good as Haason Reddick. However, keeping in mind his age and contract demands, it only makes sense for a contender to go after him. With that in mind, let’s see which teams make the most sense as potential destinations.
Best Trade Fits
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars had the fewest sacks in the league last year. This is unacceptable under any circumstances, but the fact they found a way to do this while having Josh Allen on their roster just speaks to how desperately they need a secondary pass rush. The back half of the 2023 season shows just how much help this team needs on the defensive side of the ball. If Trevor Lawrence suffers another injury, the defense needs to pick up the slack, and coming to terms on a Haason Reddick trade is a great way to get that done.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions made it to the NFC Championship Game because of their offense. If they want to make it to the Super Bowl, they’ll need to improve their defense. Aidan Hutchinson is fantastic, and adding Haason Reddick via trade would give the team one of the best pass rushes in football. Seeing as teams will routinely be throwing the ball to try and keep up with the Lions offense, Reddick and Hutchinson should be able to tee up on opposing quarterbacks.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens led the league in sacks last year, but Justin Madubuike, Jadeveon Clowney, and Kyle Van Noy are all set to be free agents. The fact of the matter is that Baltimore will not be able to bring everyone back, so a trade for Haason Reddick might be their best option. Madubuike will return no matter what, but Baltimore replacing Van Noy and/or Clowney with a younger Reddick makes plenty of sense.
Los Angeles Chargers
Could the Los Angeles Chargers trade for Haason Reddick and help their salary cap situation at the same time? Believe it or not, it’s possible. Star pass rusher Khalil Mack currently carries a staggering $38.5 million cap hit, but the Chargers can clear $23.25 million by trading him. Mack is better than Reddick, so perhaps the Eagles and Chargers could effectively swap pass rushers.
Cincinnati Bengals
The 2023 season was one to forget for the Cincinnati Bengals, but now that Joe Burrow is healthy, the team should go back to being one of the best in the league. This offense will ensure Cincinnati remains competitive, but if they want to get back to the Super Bowl, they should consider a Haason Reddick trade. There is no such thing as too many good pass rushers, especially when you share a division with reigning MVP Lamar Jackson.
Main Photo: Bill Streicher – USA Today Sports
