Jan 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) leaves the field after defeating the New York Giants during an NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher
Haason Reddick continues to stay away from the New York Jets in search of a new contract. Both sides seem to have dug their heels in, a particularly bizarre situation considering the Jets traded for Reddick in April aware that he had wanted a new deal from his prior employer, the Eagles.
To make matters more interesting, ESPN's Rich Cimini noted on his podcast that he's heard that Reddick wouldn't be opposed to a return to the Eagles, despite not having played a game for the Jets since being dealt by ... the Eagles.
"Reddick is so frustrated with the Jets' situation, and of course he did request a trade in August, so frustrated that he wouldn't mind going back to Philadelphia," Cimini said. "Again, heard it from a little birdie. Take it for what it's worth."
— Haason 7 Reddick (blue check) (@Haason7Reddick) April 2, 2024
Cimini also brought up the idea of the Eagles trading Bryce Huff — who has zero sacks and just one tackle in three games with Philadelphia — back to the Jets for Reddick. Considering Huff parlayed a 10-sack season with the Jets a year ago into a three-year/$51.1 million deal with the Eagles that guarantees him $34 million, that feels like a bridge too far.
The idea of the Eagles reacquiring Reddick — who had 27 sacks in two seasons in Midnight Green — might not be likely, but is at least a little more plausible. If the Eagles could give up a late-round pick for Reddick, give him some realistic incentives to hit the rest of the season and agree not to franchise tag him after the year, that might be a pretty good path forward for Reddick.
Of course, the Jets could ultimately do the same thing and keep him. Would it send a great message to the team to reward someone who is holding out before ever playing a game with the Jets? Perhaps not. But again, Joe Douglas and the Jets traded for Reddick knowing he wasn't happy with the $14.25 million salary he was due in the final season of a three-year deal. A new contract should have been completed on the way in the door if they were going to trade for the 30-year-old edge rusher.
