Despite an impressive start to free agency, a dark cloud still hangs over the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, the unresolved situation with star pass rusher Haason Reddick and his demands for a new contract extension.
Reddick has exceeded expectations in Philadelphia, totaling 27 sacks in his first two seasons with the Eagles. Now, the star pass rusher is seeking a raise, and the Eagles need to decide what they will do with Reddick this offseason.
Why Havenât the Philadelphia Eagles Traded Haason Reddick Yet?
It’s interesting to look back and see how Reddick and the Eagles ended up in this situation. Reddick’s elite performance over the last two seasons has earned him the right to seek a massive payday, yet it’s clear that Philadelphia isn’t ready to meet his asking price.
On Feb. 11, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Eagles were allowing Reddick to seek a trade partner willing to meet his contract demands. This initially appeared to be a similar situation to what Philadelphia did with star cornerback Darius Slay last offseason.
Yet, after over a month of no traction in trade talks, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Philadelphia and Reddick agreed to push back his $1 million roster bonus date from March 15 to April 1. In theory, this would allow both sides more time as they continue to find a trade partner willing to meet their demands.
On March 27, Derrick Gunn of JAKIB Sports reported that Reddick hasn’t budged from his contract demands, and the Eagles are still unwilling to meet his asking price. With just four days remaining until Reddick’s roster bonus is triggered, Philadelphia is running out of time.
It’s clear that the Eagles aren’t budging from their asking price in trade talks for Reddick. As Gunn reported, there is a chance that Reddick will return to Philadelphia and play out the final season of his current contract next season.
What Are the Eagles Seeking in Return for Reddick?
Although the Eagles have been reportedly shopping Reddick since February, they might have to adjust their asking price. When the New York Giants traded with the Carolina Panthers for pass rusher Brian Burns, it likely spoiled Philadelphia’s plans for Reddick.
The Eagles were likely asking for an early Day 2 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Yet, the Giants traded just a 2024 second-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick in exchange for the 25-year-old rising star pass rusher.
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Given that Reddick is 29 years old and seeking a contract extension, Philadelphia would be lucky to land a 2024 third-round pick at this point in the offseason. If the Eagles truly aren’t willing to budge from their asking price, Reddick will likely play out the final season of his current contract in Philadelphia next season.
That would allow Reddick to hit the open market in free agency next offseason. He would be 30 years old and likely coming off another double-digit sack season. Philadelphia would then be positioned to gain a potential compensatory pick in the 2026 NFL Draft based on Reddick’s contract with a new team.
Philadelphia has essentially used its final two lifelines by making Reddick’s ability to seek a trade public and pushing back the date of his roster bonus. The Eagles have put a clock on themselves to trade Reddick by April 1.
If he remains in Philadelphia past April 1, then the Eagles would be on the hook for more money and risk carrying a potentially messy situation into OTAs and training camp. We’ll see if this situation is finally resolved over the coming days.
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