The Bucs have made their big splash to address their four-man pass rush. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, they have agreed to terms on a deal with Haason Reddick.
Bucs Make Big Addition To Their Pass Rush
Eagles Dt Jalen Carter, Olb Haason Reddick And De Josh Sweat
Eagles DT Jalen Carter, OLB Haason Reddick and DE Josh Sweat – Photo by: USA Today
Reddick represents a significant investment in Tampa Bay’s pass rush and a considerable improvement on their efforts to win with four, as head coach Todd Bowles spoke about in Indianapolis at the 2025 NFL Combine. And he comes at a significant discount as compared to a hypothetical trade for Trey Hendrickson.
“Right now, for me, I want ballhawks,” Todd Bowles said. “Whether that’s a down guy, a defensive lineman, whether he bats balls down or gets strip-sacks. Whether that’s an outside linebacker, whether that’s a backer that can punch the ball out and get turnovers. Whether that’s a safety that can hit and jar the ball loose and get turnovers.
“Whether that’s a corner that has a nose for the ball. We need ballhawks, we need turnovers, we need guys that are very astute in the game that can see things and make plays and go get them. That’s what I’m looking for.”
From 2020 to 2023, Reddick was one of the most productive edge rushers in the NFL playing for the Cardinals, Panthers and Eagles. He posted 50.5 sacks over that four-year period while adding a total of 255 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Last year, following a trade from the Eagles to the Jets, Reddick engaged in a prolonged holdout while seeking a contract extension that would pay him over $20 million per year. The Jets held strong, and Reddick finally returned to the team in Week 8 to prevent his contract from tolling. Over the final 10 weeks of the season, Reddick posted 26 pressures, a 10.8% pressure rate and 2.5 sacks without the benefit of a training camp ramp up period.
Cardinals Olb Haason Reddick
Cardinals OLB Haason Reddick – Photo by: USA Today
The $14 million price tag on a one-year deal makes for a reasonable investment with a potentially huge return, considering Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett just signed deals more than $35 million per year. This also gives the team more flexibility with their first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Reddick will slot into the starting lineup across from Yaya Diaby as the team’s starting outside linebackers.
Right now, Tampa Bay has Diaby and Reddick leading the way, with 2024 second-round pick Chris Braswell slotted in behind them. Beyond those three, the only remaining edge rushers under contract are reserves Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, as both Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson are free agents. So, there’s still plenty of room for the Bucs to add to their pass rush, whether elsewhere in free agency or through next month’s NFL Draft.
The Bucs coaching staff has some familiarity with Reddick, as outside linebackers coach Larry Foote was with the Cardinals from 2017-2018 while the pass rusher played for Arizona.
For his career, Reddick has 272 tackles, 59.0 sacks and 17 forced fumbles to go with 338 pressures.