The Eagles’ Risky Move: Trading Haason Reddick
The Philadelphia Eagles made a bold move this offseason by trading away their top pass rusher, Haason Reddick. This decision was met with mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike, as Reddick had been a consistent force on the Eagles’ defense for the past four years. But with only one year left on his contract and a desire for a pay raise, the Eagles decided to take a gamble and move on from Reddick.
Reddick’s case for a pay raise was strong, as he had been one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, alongside Myles Garrett, for the past four seasons. However, the Eagles were not willing to give him a significant bump in pay or a new contract at the age of 30. Instead, they traded him to the New York Jets for a conditional third-round pick in 2026.
While this trade may have made sense for the Eagles in terms of future draft picks, it also comes with a significant risk. Reddick was the best pass rusher on a struggling Eagles defense last season, and his departure leaves a major hole in their pass rush. With the loss of Reddick and the retirement of Fletcher Cox, the Eagles’ pass rush is now filled with uncertainty and “ifs.”
The Eagles’ Pass Rush: A Gamble for 2024
The Eagles could have avoided this risky move by restructuring Reddick’s contract and allowing him to play out the 2024 season. This would have given them a proven and reliable pass rusher for at least one more year, while also giving them the opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl. But instead, they chose to take a chance on younger players like Bryce Huff and Josh Sweat, who have shown potential but lack the consistency and experience of Reddick.
While Huff had an impressive 2023 season, with 10 sacks and a 21.3% pressure rate, he only played 47% of the snaps. The Eagles are now banking on him to replicate Reddick’s production with an increased workload. Sweat, on the other hand, had a disappointing end to the 2023 season, with no sacks and a 10.3% pressure rate in the final six games. The Eagles are hoping that this was just an anomaly and that Sweat will return to his previous form in 2024.
With the addition of rookie Nolan Smith and veteran Brandon Graham, the Eagles’ pass rush is filled with potential, but also a lot of uncertainty. They are taking a major gamble by moving on from Reddick, who has been a consistent and reliable force on their defense. Only time will tell if this risky move will pay off for the Eagles in the long run.
In Conclusion
The Eagles’ decision to trade Haason Reddick was a bold and risky move. While it may have made sense for their future draft picks, it also leaves a major hole in their pass rush for the upcoming season. Reddick’s consistent production and leadership will be missed, and it remains to be seen if the Eagles’ younger players can step up and fill his shoes. Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off for the Eagles, but for now, it seems like a risky move that could have been avoided by keeping Reddick on the roster for one more year.
