The Haason Reddick era in Philadelphia could be coming to an end, as the All-Pro pass rusher has been given permission to seek a trade ahead of the new league year.
Reddick finished the year with 11.0 sacks and 38 tackles in 17 regular-season games, and he recorded double-digit sacks for the fourth consecutive season, leading his team in that category and tying for 15th in the NFL.
With the Super Bowl set to be played, and business set to pick up, here are four takeaways from the news.
Reddicks' still effective
Had Nolan Smith shown that he was ready to be an elite pass rusher, the idea would have been to cut Reddick, saving the Eagles $11 million after the dead money allotment.
Outside of the sacks, though, Reddick’s numbers were poor by his standards.
His 38 tackles were the second-lowest mark of his career, and he didn’t force or recover a fumble after forcing five and recovering three last season. His snap share (74 percent) remained identical, indicating the drop-off wasn’t due to a lack of opportunities but mismanagement from coaches.
My understanding is that the Eagles would only move Reddick if it makes sense — both with the compensation in return, and if their cap objectives cannot be achieved with a new deal. (As we've noted, Josh Sweat is also entering last year.) This isn't a fire sale.
Eagles are…
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) February 11, 2024
Reddick had 35 solo tackles, 14 assists, 16.0 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries in 17 games in 2022, while being selected to play in his first Pro Bowl, and earning All-Pro honors.
Financial implications
If Philadelphia thought they had a problem after Rashan Gary agreed to a five-year, $107 million extension with Green Bay, wait until Howie Roseman sees Montez Sweat’s new deal.
The Bears gave star pass-rusher Montez Sweat a 4-year that’s worth $72 million guaranteed.
The deal comes almost three months after Haason Reddick was asked about his salary and where it ranks among the NFL’s top pass rushers.
The $24.5 million per season puts Sweat ahead of Gary and on par with Myles Garrett, making him the 5th highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL.
Reddick just finished the second of a three-year, $45 million deal and he’ll now be the 17th highest paid edge rusher in the NFL per year according to Over The Cap.
Cutting Reddick would save the Eagles, while also costing them in dead cap space.
Cap savings: $16,000,000
Dead cap hit: $5,877,000
Trading LB Haason Reddick
New Team Acquires
1 year, $15.5M
($1M roster bonus due 3/15)#Eagles Dead Cap
Pre 3/15: $20.6M in 2024
3/15-6/1: $21.6M in 2024
Post 6/1: 2024: $6.8M; 2025: $14.7MReddick currently carries a $21.3M cap with Philly.https://t.co/00RBgMuEJo
— Spotrac (@spotrac) February 11, 2024
Outright cutting or trading Reddick would save the Eagles $1 million in cap space, while adding on a $20 million dead hit per Over The Cap.
GM Howie Roseman focused on adding younger talent in free agency this offseason, with the potential for impactful production on a cheap deal.
Roster impact
Losing Reddick would put a huge dent in a pass rush that could lose Brandon Graham, and Fletcher Cox to free agency, while Josh Sweat could be a cap casualty.
Reddick departing would only leave Nolan Smith and Patrick Johnson at the SAM Linebacker spot.
Eagles defense could have 9 new starters
If the Eagles lose Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Zach Cunningham, Nicholas Morrow, James Bradberry, and Shaquille Leonard, that’ll be six potential new starters on defense, and a Reddick trade would make that seven potential new starters or contributors.
Final observation
The 29 year old Reddick has two years remaining on his deal, but 2023 is the last year of guaranteed money, and he’ll carry a $20 million cap hit.
In terms of pass rushers making more money than the Eagles All-Pro, only T.J. Watt, Khalil Mack, Troy Hendrickson, Von Miller, and Danielle Hunter are Reddick’s age or older.
If Philadelphia doesn’t sign Reddick to an extension or add new money to his deal, he’ll be a 30 or 31-year old free agent looking for a new deal.
With Howie Roseman drafting Nolan Smith, things could get interesting this upcoming offseason regardless of the numbers Reddick post.
