With every passing day, it becomes more and more likely that the New York Jets trade Haason Reddick before he plays a snap with the team. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Reddick entered the 2024 offseason hoping for some financial security following an 11-sack season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles didn’t want to extend the pass rusher and ultimately decided to trade him to the New York Jets, who believed he’d be willing to play under his current deal. For whatever reason, that didn’t happen, as Reddick is the NFL’s only player still holding out.
While Haason Reddick is not yet on the football field, some signs indicate that a trade could materialize shortly. Reddick recently signed with big-name agent Drew Rosenhaus, and the Jets themselves permitted Reddick to look for trade partners. While the Detroit Lions are the most likely destination following the Aidan Hutchinson injury, the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens could interrupt these talks and acquire the pass rusher themselves.
Chiefs, Ravens Could Interrupt Haason Reddick Trade Talks
Through six weeks of action, the Detroit Lions look like one of the best teams in football. The defense is soaring, Jameson Williams is having his long-awaited breakout year, Jared Goff is playing well in the system, and Detroit’s coaching staff is second to none. However, the one weakness is at edge defender, as the Lions lacked adequate depth even before the Aidan Hutchinson injury. With the superstar done for the season, the Lions could coordinate a Haason Reddick trade with the New York Jets. After all, if this team wants to win the Super Bowl, they’ll need someone better than Josh Paschal to lead the charge.
The fit is perfect, but the price could keep this deal from going through. New York sent a conditional third-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles that will become a second-round selection if they trade Haason Reddick to an NFC team. It’s hard to envision the Jets breaking even with Reddick, but sending him to the NFC could be disastrous for their future. The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens could use another pass rusher, and the Jets would probably prefer to send Reddick to either of those teams.
AFC Destinations
The Kansas City Chiefs are 5-0 but aren’t quite as good as their record suggests. While they comfortably beat a banged-up Saints team in Week 5, all of their other wins have come in one-score contests. This team is a few unlucky breaks away from being 2-3 or 3-2, and a Haason Reddick trade could bring some much-needed heat to a defense that must make up for a relatively sluggish offense. Pairing an elite edge rusher like Reddick with arguably the game’s best interior pass rusher in Chris Jones should give opposing offensive line fits all season long.
The Baltimore Ravens lost several key players in the offseason, and it’s clear the defense isn’t the same. While Kyle Van Noy refuses to age, the Ravens could use a complementary edge rusher to pair with former first-round pick Odafe Oweh. Haason Reddick could make fans forget all about Jadeveon Clowney, and while the Ravens might have a tough time making the finances work, a trade would all-but ensure a deep playoff run for one of the most talented rosters in the game.
Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta – USA Today Sports
