Haason Reddick may have only been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles for two seasons, but his work with his hometown team left him a fan favorite.
Now, the Pro Bowl edge rusher is traveling up I-95 for his new home with the New York Jets. Gang Green and the Eagles agreed to a trade last week to send the Temple product to New York in exchange for a conditional pick in 2026, ending his dominant two-year run in Philadelphia.
On his first official day as a member of the Jets, Reddick commented on his final year in Philadelphia and if he had any love left for the team that traded him.
Haason Reddick Holds No Hate for Eagles After Trade
As early as January, the Camden, N.J., native made it clear that his wish was to stay in Philadelphia and receive a long-term deal. After signing a three-year, $45 million contract in 2022, Reddick tallied 27 sacks and led the league in fumbles forced in 2022.
Due to the large cap numbers and questions coming the Eagles’ way, though, the team allowed Reddick and his representation to seek a trade.
After a few months of being unable to find fair compensation for the 29-year-old, Philadelphia received the best offer it had seen from the Jets. To Reddick, the communication with the Eagles, and why a trade was brought forth to begin with, is part of being a top player in the NFL.
“It wasn’t about ‘What he has left in the tank,'” Reddick explained. “It’s a business, and sometimes hard decisions gotta be made even if you don’t like them.”
Haason Reddick feels that he has "a lot" left in the tank:
"If I didn't, I wouldn't here. When I don't have any more left to give, I'll retire. Until that point, I'm going to continue to try to play my best ball." pic.twitter.com/2dIXUiqyuB
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) April 1, 2024
Reddick is no stranger to playing in new places. As a one-time 13th overall pick, the star from Temple has bounced from the Arizona Cardinals to the Carolina Panthers to the Eagles and now the Jets. New York already has a top-five defense at its disposal, and it’s a big reason why the All-Pro edge rusher is perfectly fine with switching teams.
“I’m happy to be around a group of guys like this, a talented roster. It’s going to be fun. I don’t think anybody’s ready for what’s about to happen,” Reddick stated. “There’s a lot of knowledge I have to give, and that’s what I’m here to do.”
"We've got dawgs at each level of the defense, literally"
Haason Reddick on joining the Jets: pic.twitter.com/bt6yOULSRm
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) April 1, 2024
Reddick spoke on the high caliber of talent at each level of the Jets’ defense, as an elite unit from the past two seasons just got even better with the addition of the former Eagles edge rusher.
Specifically, when it comes to getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, New York already has a first-team All-Pro defensive tackle in Quinnen Williams. The Jets also have several young edge defenders in Will McDonald and Jermaine Johnson who will help Reddick hit the ground running.
For the Eagles, they brought back Josh Sweat on a revised one-year deal and recently signed former Jet Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million deal during the first day of free agency. While Huff and Sweat may not be Reddick yet, the Eagles are banking on replacing the former Defensive Player of the Year finalist with myriad edge defenders.
And at the very least, Reddick understands the reasoning behind him being moved in the first place.
KEEP READING: Philadelphia Eagles News, April 1
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