Before Jonathan Gannon, Haason Reddick had back-to-back double-digit sack seasons but no Pro Bowl nods with the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers.
With Gannon, Reddick elevated to 16 sacks and his first Pro Bowl nod and Super Bowl appearance with the Philadelphia Eagles. But now, he’ll have to replicate or build off his 2022 without his defensive coordinator. How does Reddick feel about Gannon’s first taste of head coaching?
Haason Reddick Believes Jonathan Gannon Will Bring ‘Juice’ to New Surroundings
Speaking with Pro Football Network through his partnership with Campbell’s Soup, Reddick believes the Cards are about to witness new energy in Tempe.
“They’re extremely lucky,” Reddick says of the Gannon hire. “After getting to know him last year, he’s a big juice guy.”
How “juiced” up was Reddick’s DC last year?
“He came into work, day in and day out, extremely excited about the day,” Reddick described to PFN. “He loves football and loves being around the guys. I can tell that’s one of the best parts of his day. So for them to get a coach like that, I think it’ll be an extremely great fit for them.”
Gannon, Reddick, and the Eagles went on to rank second in yards allowed and produced the league’s best defense vs. the pass. Gannon’s defense smothered quarterbacks with four different rushers hitting double-digit sacks, including Reddick.
The other top three rushers behind Reddick — Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and the newest San Francisco 49ers interior rusher Javon Hargrave — all snatched 11 sacks apiece.
That Gannon spark will be needed for a team that doesn’t have the level of expectations Reddick is facing with the Eagles. Arizona stumbled to 4-13 and fired head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Oddsmakers have the Cards teetering toward becoming the worst team in the league with renewed questions at quarterback involving Kyler Murray and a new regime in place.
But the man behind the “thumbs down” sack celebration is giving a personal “thumbs up” for the Cards’ new head coach.
Reddick Planning To ‘Sack Hunger’ in New Partnership
Reddick, who will now enter his seventh year in the NFL and his second in Philly, is tackling a new challenge as well this upcoming season: Hunger.
He’s partnering with the Campbell’s company and joining forces with nine other NFL defenders in the “Chunky Sack Hunger Initiative” launching this season.
“Campbell’s and myself have partnered to try to tackle the food insecurity across the nation with the Chunky Sack Hunger Initiative,” Reddick explained. “Our goal is to give $2 million for meals across the nation. So for every Chunky bowl that is purchased during the season, we will be donating a meal to those in need.”
Who else is joining Reddick in this new venture? Per the press release, other NFL defenders taking part are:
- Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, Tennessee Titans
- Alex Anzalone, LB, Detroit Lions
- Nick Bolton, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
- De’Vondre Campbell, LB, Green Bay Packers
- Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Chicago Bears
- Sam Hubbard, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
- C.J. Mosley, LB, New York Jets
- Kwity Paye, DE, Indianapolis Colts
- Kayvon Thibodeaux, LB, New York Giants
More information on the initiative can be discovered here. Reddick adds that he grew up near Campbell’s Camden, New Jersey headquarters, which persuaded the new partnership.