The Tampa Bay Buccaneers knew they must address their pass rush this offseason, so they signed former All-Pro edge rusher Haason Reddick to a free-agent contract.
Reddick attended mandatory minicamp last week after missing most voluntary workouts this offseason. His arrival was a welcome sign. In the previous two years, he missed all off-season activities with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets.
The fact that he showed up in Tampa is an essential commitment for him.
Reddick has always been something of a mercenary. He pushed hard to be paid among the best edge rushers in the game after an All-Pro season in 2022. Philadelphia refused to pay him and shipped him to New York a year later.
Instead of negotiating a new contract with the Jets, Reddick sat out for most of the regular season and recorded just a single sack in the final half of 2024.
By holding out, Reddick lost a lot of money this offseason. The Temple product agreed to a one-year deal with $14 million in potential earnings.
At 30 years old, it's hard to see Reddick get a long-term deal regardless of what happens this year. It's why his commitment to Tampa Bay is so important.
If Reddick can perform even close to how he looked in Philadelphia, he could be in line for a hefty extension with the Buccaneers in 2026. If not, the mercenary may go on to his fourth team in as many seasons after this year.