Almost a full week ago, I wrote a piece about Tampa Bay Buccaneers' new linebacker Haason Reddick missing from voluntary OTAs. It seems to be driving Bucs fans crazy right now.
Well, just like I did then, I'm trying to talk you all off the ledge.
Reddick is 30 years old. He's a veteran. And yes, in a perfect world, and in a perfect scenario, he's here. At OTAs. With his new teammates.
But since when did any of you believe such a world exists? If you do, please reach out to me. I'd like to drink some of that Kool-Aid. The fact is, he's been around the league for a while. He's entering his ninth season in the NFL, and he knows how things work.
He has his offseason workout routine perfected by now. Reddick made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023, his final two seasons in Philly before being unceremoniously shipped off to the ... gross ... New York Jets.
We all know he sat out all the offseason and the first seven games of the year before finally joining the team.
This isn't that. So stop thinking it is.
Reddick wants to be here. He picked Tampa Bay. Oh, and by the way, these are VOLUNTARY OTAs. He hasn't missed anything that is mandatory. And he won't.
If the team was truly interested in being there or worried about him missing, they would've put a clause in his contract about it. They didn't. And the team has yet to express any concern.
Jason Licht is an excellent general manager. He's paying Reddick $14 million this season on a "prove-it" deal. Which is just what I think Reddick will do.
Give it time, climb off the ledge, and take in these words that Reddick spoke when he signed. Maybe they'll comfort you just a bit.
"I'm excited. I'm excited to be here. I'm excited to be in front of the crowd. If anything, I can't wait to get in front of the Krewe," Reddick said. "I want to hear the cannon go off a lot this year. So, very excited. Hope the fans, hope the Krewe is excited as well. Looking forward to making this a great fit here."
'Nuff said.