While signing big names in the offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles also signed off a crucial part of its defensive line by trading two-time Pro Bowler Haason Reddick to the New York Jets last month. Despite it being a big decision, the franchise had remained rather silent. Until now!
For better context, the Eagles allowed the linebacker to seek trades with other teams after they turned down bids for a contract extension.
As the Jets expressed interest, Philly traded Reddick in exchange for a conditional 2026 draft pick. Given that Reddick plays 67 plays of the total defensive snaps or logs at least 10 sacks in 2024, the 2026 third-round pick can convert into a second-round pick.
On Tuesday, Eagles’ General Manager Howie Roseman finally addressed Reddick’s trade, saying though it was a tough decision, it turned out to be satisfactory to all the parties involved.
Haason [Reddick] had a great two years in Philadelphia. Obviously, he is a Camden kid who played at Temple, and we could not have been more excited to sign him. It’s bittersweet to lose a player and a person like that. . . Through the conversations with the Jets, we felt it was a win-win position, but it’s always hard to get rid of players and people like Haason. Said GM Roseman via Chris Franklin of NJ.com
Eagles GM Howie Roseman explaining the Haason Reddick trade @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/U9rGTSWaYx
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) April 16, 2024
After trading Reddick, Philly went ahead and signed Bryce Huff from free agency, adding him to the edge of the defense with Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, and Josh Sweat .
When the offseason started, Reddick had no plans of seeking a trade, as he intended for a better contract extension with the Phillies. However, he couldn’t bring the franchise to the same page as him.
Speculations suggest that the Eagles didn’t want to invest more money or pay more than $16 million, which he was set to make in 2024, to a soon-to-be-turning 30-year-old edge. As Reddick is already 29 entering his eighth season in the league.
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