The move demonstrated the Jets’ commitment to sustaining perhaps the strongest pass rush in the NFL following the departure of Bryce Huff. Reddick is being brought in to not only replace Huff, but to improve the entire defense surrounding him.
While it’s fair to question the Jets’ entire pass rusher strategy, there’s no doubting that the Reddick move isn’t ideal in isolation.
Not only did the Jets obtain one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, but they did it at an incredible price. We explain why Jets general manager Joe Douglas made such a good transaction.
- Haason Reddick is incredibly durable.
The Jets have had terrible injury luck over the last two seasons, and the inclusion of players like Tyron Smith and Mike Williams, as well as the return of Aaron Rodgers, only complicates the situation.
That’s why acquiring someone like Haason Reddick is critical. Reddick has appeared in 114 out of a possible 115 games throughout his seven-year NFL career. He missed just one game in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time.
Reddick has practically never missed an NFL game due to injury. Of course, the same was true for safety Chuck Clark when the Jets signed him last summer, only to have him damage his ACL in the spring.
Still, Reddick’s longevity adds value to an already promising trade.
- The New York Jets secured advantageous terms in the trade.
The idea that all the Jets had to give up to get Reddick was a second-round pick two years later is rather astounding. What makes it even more astounding are the precise criteria associated with that pick.
To turn that 2026 conditional third-round pick into a second-rounder, Reddick must play 67.5 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps in 2024 and record at least 10 sacks.
Quinnen Williams was the only Jets defensive lineman to reach that number of snaps in 2023, and he did so barely. No Jets edge rusher logged more than 65 percent of snaps. Reddick is more of a three-down player than Huff, but it’s reasonable to assume he won’t reach that level.
Even if he does, finishing with 10 or more sacks in a loaded defensive line with plenty of competition is not ideal. The safe assumption is that the trade criteria are not met, making this an even bigger home run for the Jets.
- This was the best possible pivot for the New York Jets.
The Jets had strong interest in signing Jadeveon Clowney in free agency before he committed to a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. There was genuine hope that Clowney would be signed, but his arrival with the Panthers could prove to be a blessing in disguise.
Clowney is a fine player, but not on the same level as Reddick. While Reddick will cost the Jets more, he is more than just a replacement for Huff; he may even be an improvement.
Following Clowney’s signing, the remaining free-agent alternatives were less than outstanding, with Jerry Hughes, Yannick Ngakoue, and Randy Gregory at the top of the list. There was also Calais Campbell, who is more of a tweener than a real edge defender.
Reddick was the best option for the Jets after missing out on Clowney. Rather than signing a below-average free agent, the Jets went big and acquired another All-Pro to their already loaded defense.
4. The New York Jets are all in for 2024.
The Jets’ choice to trade for Reddick shows their desire to win in 2024. The team has made moves concentrated on the next year or two, indicating a desire to capitalize on Aaron Rodgers’ narrow window of success.
Reddick is only committed until 2024, and while the Jets are expected to pursue extension discussions, there is no guarantee they will reach an agreement before the start of the season.
Trading for Reddick is a win-now decision in every definition of the word. Instead of trusting on an inexperienced young player like Will McDonald to take on a larger role, the Jets opted with the safe option, dealing for an established All-Pro pass rusher.
That’s exactly the attitude the Jets should be in right now, with Rodgers at quarterback. The Reddick trade reinforces this notion.
