The New York Jets have made their intentions known. They are ready to go all in on the 2024 season. Joe Douglas has capitalized wonderfully addressing needs across backup quarterback, the offensive line, and wide receiver. However, those moves pale in comparison to the Haason Reddick trade. One of the league’s most dominant pass rushers joining a talented defensive line. This news has Robert Saleh grinning from ear to ear at the potential of this pass rush. Not only will it help All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, but it will help the young edge rushers even more. One name in particular is Jermaine Johnson. Drafted alongside Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson in 2022, Johnson was the team’s third first-round pick. He’s still learning the nuances of the game, but a premier talent like Reddick can help unlock his full potential long-term.
The Haason Reddick Trade Will Benefit This First-Round Pick
The return of Aaron Rodgers from his Achilles injury has the New York Jets ready to push further for contention. Behind a stalwart defense, the offense has finally been addressed with multiple additions. However, the adage of ‘defense wins championships’ will hold weight inside East Rutherford. So general manager Joe Douglas placed a call to his former boss, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. Douglas was in Philadelphia’s front office when they won their first Super Bowl. This divulging allowed the two parties to agree on a massive trade. New York acquired Haason Reddick from Philadelphia in exchange for a condition-laced 2026 second-round pick.
Haason Reddick breakdown
The seven-year veteran was a first-round pick out of Temple University in 2017. While his first two seasons were uneventful in Arizona, the arrival of Vance Joseph helped shine a light on the young edge rusher. In 2020, Reddick recorded double-digit sacks for the first time in his career. He finished the 2020 season with 12.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles. He followed that up with another 11-sack season in Carolina after reuniting with Matt Rhule, his head coach back at Temple. However, it was a move north to Philadelphia where the Camden, New Jersey native reached his full potential.
Through his two seasons in Philadelphia, Haason Reddick elevated his game to extraordinary heights. Between the past two seasons, Reddick recorded a total of 27 sacks in 34 games the past two seasons. Along with 24 total tackles for loss and led the league in forced fumbles in 2022. Maintaining that kind of production between two different defensive coordinators is nothing short of impressive. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2022 as well.
Haason Reddick can mentor Jermaine Jackson
The potential for Haason Reddick’s contributions to this defense is staggering. Reddick is a natural fit opposite Jonathan Franklin-Myers in Robert Saleh’s Base 4-3 defense. The duo of Franklin-Myers and Reddick makes Quinnen Williams that more dangerous up the middle against the interior offensive line. In addition, Reddick’s presence gives the Jets edge rushers another veteran presence to learn from. A golden opportunity for Jermaine Johnson’s development.
The third-year edge rusher often gets overlooked compared to his fellow first-round picks from 2022. But, Johnson showed the world why he was worth the investment from Joe Douglas. Johnson finished his second season with 55 tackles, 11 of which were tackles for loss & 7.5 sacks. His first career touchdown came on a pick-six against Joe Flacco in Cleveland. At 25 years old, Johnson has only scratched the surface, and working with a talent like Reddick can elevate his potential to unimaginable heights. Should Reddick leave in free agency; the mentoring of Johnson this year would secure the trade as a worthy investment.
Main Photo: [Vincent Carchietta] – USA Today Sports
