02 April 2024 , 03:00
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Haason Reddick has shared his thoughts with New York Jets fans after being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 29-year-old edge rusher has reassured fans that the Eagles' decision to trade him wasn't because of how he played. The Jets swapped Reddick for a third-round draft pick in 2026, but they'll give Philadelphia a second-round pick instead if he plays at least 67.5 per cent of the time and gets 10 sacks in 2024.
Bryce Huff had just moved from the Jets to the Eagles, signing a three-year contract, and then the teams decided to trade Reddick in late March. It's a move that some fans have questioned, as no player has more forced fumbles than Reddick since 2020, and he's fourth in sacks (50.5) over the last four seasons.
He's also been very reliable, only missing one game since he started playing in the NFL in 2017. This is great for the Jets who often have players injured.
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Reddick insisted on Monday that the Eagles didn't let him go because he wasn't playing well. He hinted that maybe he asked for more money than the Eagles could pay. "It wasn't about what he has left in the tank. It's a business and sometimes hard decisions gotta be made even if you don't like them," Reddick told reporters.
The Jets had initially set their sights on former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, even welcoming him for a meet with the team. However, when he agreed to join Carolina Panthers instead, it led to their eyes turning toward Reddick.
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Reddick was traded to the New York Jets ahead of the 2024 season (Getty Images)Eagles only brought on board Reddick in 2022 when they narrowly missed out on clinching Super Bowl LVII as Kansas City Chiefs sealed a last-minute victory in Arizona. It was the Jets that handed the Eagles their first loss of 2023 before their eventual collapse despite being 10-1 at one stage, and Reddick is excited for a fresh start in New Jersey.
"It's a new chapter for me... I'm happy," Reddick expressed. He grew up in New Jersey and is now returning home. He joins one of the best defences in the NFL and is eager to bring his A-game. "I'm all about constantly putting QBs under duress," Reddick added.
He's also excited about supporting his fellow players, especially considering Will McDonald was presumed to be replacing Huff on the roster. McDonald, despite being the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, couldn't make a noticeable impression during his debut season. With Reddick joining the ranks, McDonald can focus more on improving his skills.
Reddick has spoken to Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich about McDonald, and said: "There's a lot of knowledge I have to give. And that's what I'm here to do."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.