After spending four years with the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers pass rusher Haason Reddick reunited with his Temple University head coach Matt Rhule. The hybrid linebacker is a unique fit for defenses. He will need to find the right landing spot to succeed as he plays out his prime years. Where could Reddick land in free agency, and what will his next contract look like?
Haason Reddick: Free Agency Overview
Reddick is a scheme-versatile outside linebacker who thrives at the line of scrimmage. Coming off back-to-back double-digit sack seasons, Reddick should draw interest from teams that run hybrid defenses and emphasize blitzing linebackers.
Recapping Reddick’s 2021 season
After spending four seasons with the Cardinals, Reddick settled for a one-year deal with the Panthers, despite posting a career-high 12.5 sacks for Arizona in 2020. Reunited with Rhule, Reddick was a menace for opposing offenses, producing 62 tackles, 11 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles on the season.
While the Panthers’ season plunged into the depths of the NFC, Reddick was a rare bright spot. He showed he can be a movable chess piece in a forward-thinking defense.
Reddick’s contract estimate and salary cap implications
Reddick has made $19.64 million since entering the league as a first-round pick of the Cardinals in 2017. He made $6 million in his lone season with the Panthers. With two consecutive outstanding years under his belt, Reddick is likely to cash in this offseason. Spotrac lists Reddick’s annual market value at $15.3 million, which would put him in the top 20 annual salaries of outside linebackers.
The Panthers have a healthy cap situation entering free agency. They could look to retain Reddick with some contract maneuvering.
Possible landing spots for Reddick
Reddick is an intriguing player. He could be used as a traditional 3-4 outside linebacker or a moveable chess piece in a 4-3 front. Teams like the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and New York Jets could look at Reddick as a unique fireball to throw at opposing offenses.
He could also appeal to teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins, each of whom has tons of cap space and a need for versatile front-seven defenders. He could also return to the Panthers, who still have Rhule leading the charge.
What they’re saying about Reddick
“It’ll be interesting to see. He’s had back-to-back seasons with double-digit sacks, so I think a lot of it [will be based on] scheme fit and how teams are going to use him.” –- Longtime NFL scout to Pro Football Network on Reddick’s free agent outlook.