Former New York Jets general manager and current Philadelphia Eagles senior scout Joe Douglas did the team a huge favor by taking edge rusher Haason Reddick off their plates last year.
Following a disappointing conclusion to the 2023 season, the Eagles implemented several changes, including trading Reddick to the Jets for a 2026 third-round pick. This was due to Reddick seeking a new contract as he was entering the final year of his deal, and the Eagles did not want to go down that road.
It was a move that many questioned after Reddick lit it up for two seasons there, but that ended quickly after he held out from the Jets and didn't play until he secured a new deal in October. History appears to be repeating itself, and the Eagles should be happy they aren't dealing with that.
Reddick's latest news is vindication of Howie Roseman's decision in 2024
On the first day of OTAs, it was reported that Reddick was absent from Tampa Bay Buccaneers workouts after signing a one-year deal in the offseason. Current Buccaneers head coach and former Eagles defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, when asked by the media via joebucsfan.com, would say when he believes Reddick would show up.
“I’m sure one of these days we’ll see him."
This is all too familiar to Jets fans, as Reddick held out last year, seeking a new contract. It took several months to get him on the field finally, but Reddick only played in 10 games and made just 14 tackles and one sack.
Those were not the results Reddick gave in Philadelphia in 2022 and 2023 where he racked up 87 tackles and 27 sacks. He made the Pro Bowl in both years and was an AP second-team All-Pro selection in 2022 after 16 sacks during the season.
While people understood why Eagles general manager Howie Roseman didn't want to pay Reddick, there were questions about letting Reddick go to another team. Reddick had been the sack leader on the Eagles and was the best pass rusher they had.
Roseman saw something that other fans didn't see: Reddick was a potential handful. Two years in a row, Reddick has missed practices with his new team. While these are voluntary OTAs and not necessary to attend, it's a telling sign that he is once again not showing up to critical workouts with his new teammates.
Last year's Eagles team proved they didn't need Reddick to win a Super Bowl, as they did all on their own with guys like, Nolan Smith Jr. and Josh Sweat taking on bigger roles. Philadelphia is in a better spot culturally, without Reddick, and Roseman deserves his flowers for it.
