It seems the New York Jets and Haason Reddick are still at an impasse regarding a new contract for him.
The Jets were disappointed to lose third-year edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, who recorded 7.5 sacks in 2023, to a season-ending Achilles injury. Despite this setback, their pass rush remains strong, currently tied for second in the NFL with 14 sacks. Second-year edge Will McDonald IV ranks second in the league with 5 sacks, trailing only the Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson by 1.5 sacks.
The Jets’ draft history has played a significant role in their current situation, with back-to-back first-round picks used on Johnson and McDonald:
Johnson: 2022’s number 26
McDonald’s: 2023’s No. 15
The Jets have to think carefully about whether they can afford to give Reddick a big three-year contract given their heavy investment in the edge rusher position. They also need to think about whether they can extend their two first-round picks in the upcoming years.
If the Jets think Haason Reddick will not alter his mind, they might trade him before the deadline given their solid draft investments.
The Cleveland Browns are currently tied for 11th place in the league with 9 sacks. Barry Shuck of SB Nation’s “Dawgs By Nature,” a fan site for the team, muses over whether the Browns should try to acquire Reddick. His latest piece, which was based on a tweet from ML Football, emphasizes the Cardinals’ possible interest.
The Cardinals’ intentions to trade for Reddick would largely depend on Jonathan Gannon’s feelings toward the edge rusher, who flourished in his defense during the Eagles’ 2022 Super Bowl run. Other important considerations would be Gannon and Monti Ossenfort’s opinions on trade compensation and contract details.