NFL Analysis
10/3/24
5 min read
3 Trade Destinations For New York Jets Edge Rusher Haason Reddick
Time is running out for the New York Jets to make a decision on Haason Reddick.
With the trade deadline a month away, the Jets still haven't gotten Reddick to join the team. After trading for the former Philadelphia Eagles star this offseason, Reddick continues to hold out as he waits for a long-term contract extension.
Reddick had already willingly lost $8 million due to fines as of the middle of September and could lose as much as $21.75 million this season. It doesn't appear that he has any interest in coming back until a deal gets done, regardless of how much he gets fined.
The Jets don't seem interest in budging on a contract extension, either. If that's the case, then general manager Joe Douglas should consider cutting his losses and finding a suitable trade package for the veteran pass rusher.
REddick's Trade Value and Cap hit
Reddick could provide an instant boost to any team's pass rush. However, his actual trade value might not be as high as one might think.
The Jets traded for Reddick this offseason in exchange for a 2026 conditional third-round pick. Despite being a two-time Pro Bowler, Reddick is also 30 years old and on the final year of his contract.
That contract is the biggest issue in a potential trade. He has a negligible cap number in a potential trade, but is also expecting an extension from whoever he plays for next.
Still, it's not like Reddick will go for a Day 3 pick. He has 50.5 sacks and 13 forced fumbles in the last four seasons, including a career-high 16 sacks and league-leading five forced fumbles in 2022. His production will eventually dip, but he should still have a few more prime years in him.
With that in mind, only a handful of teams are in need of an established pass rusher, but also have the cap space in the coming years to offer him a contract extension.
Potential Reddick Trade Packages
Las Vegas Raiders
Raiders receive: EDGE Haason Reddick, 2025 second-round pick, 2025 third-round pick
Jets receive: WR Davante Adams, 2025 fourth-round pick
This is a trade package that was previously mentioned in potential trade packages for Davante Adams. There's a reason why the price is so steep.
As his former teammate and close friend, Aaron Rodgers will be pushing hard for a reunion with Adams. The two were an unstoppable connection in Green Bay, with Rodgers winning back-to-back MVPs in 2020 and 2021 while throwing to the star wideout.
The Jets are considered a favorite landing spot for Adams, but that also gives the Raiders a lot of leverage in a potential deal. Adams has stated that he's open to being traded a team besides the Jets, which means that Douglas will have to beat out any other bid for the superstar receiver.
Do the Las Vegas Raiders need another pass rusher with Maxx Crosby on the roster? Not necessarily, but the idea of a two-headed monster rushing the passer in Crosby and Reddick for the next few seasons with Christian Wilkins in the middle would give the Raiders an intimidating defensive identity.
Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs receive: EDGE Haason Reddick
Jets receive: 2025 third-round pick
Any team that's looking to make a Super Bowl run could use some extra pass rushers.
The Kansas City Chiefs have two intriguing young pass rushers in George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. However, while those two continue to develop, the Chiefs rank just 22nd in pass rush win rate and have eight sacks through four games.
With a projected $27 million in cap space for 2025, the Chiefs don't have a ton of financial flexibility. However, with the Super Bowl window still wide open and few noteworthy free agents that have to be brought back after this season, they could afford to make a move for Reddick and sign him to a backloaded contract extension.
For the Jets, they can wash their hands of the entire Reddick situation and get a third-round pick back in return. The Chiefs have two third-round picks after the L'Jarius Sneed trade, so the two sides can negotiate which of the two selections will get moved for the veteran pass rusher.
Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals receive: EDGE Haason Reddick, 2025 fourth-round pick
Jets receive: 2025 third-round pick
Could a reunion in Arizona be on the table for Reddick?
It took Reddick years to unlock his full potential after being poorly utilized by the Arizona Cardinals to start his NFL career. Former general manager Steve Keim even publicly admitted that after the fact.
The idea of going back to Arizona might not still well with Reddick, but it's a completely overhauled front office and coaching staff. In fact, head coach Jonathan Gannon was Reddick's defensive coordinator in Philadelphia during his career year in 2022 that ended with a second-team All-Pro selection.
The Cardinals have the cap space to bring Reddick in and give him a top-of-market deal. They're projected to have more than $119 million in cap space in 2025.
Douglas could put together a similar trade framework with the Cardinals that was proposed to the Chiefs. However, considering the third-round pick the Cardinals own is expected to be near the top of the round, the Jets would likely need to offer a little bit extra in return.
A fourth-round pick could make up some of that ground based off of the trade value chart.