March 21, 2026, 2:48 p.m. ET

They say, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Maybe that was part of the thinking when the Philadelphia Eagles signed Haason Reddick to a three-year, $45 million contract to join the nest in 2022. Think back to Week 5 of the previous season, if you will, for a moment. The Birds traveled to Charlotte to tackle the Carolina Panthers. That one was a dogfight. Philadelphia needed two Darius Slay interceptions, a blocked punt by T.J. Edwards, a late score, a two-point conversion thrown to DeVonta Smith, and a Steven Nelson game-sealing interception to survive a road win by three points.

The Eagles had all kinds of issues with then-Panther Reddick. He notched eight tackles. He sacked Jalen Hurts twice. He hit Hurts two more times. Philly also had issues with Reddick in 2020. He was still on the Arizona Cardinals‘ roster at the time, and that season, during a Week 15 clash, Reddick recorded four tackles and sacked Hurts, helping elevate the Cardinals to a close win. Perhaps Howie Roseman had seen enough after the game in Charlotte. As mentioned, he signed Reddick during the following offseason. We all know how that turned out.

There were fireworks. Reddick came close to winning the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Ultimately, the arrangement ended in divorce. The reason? Why do most divorces occur? Reddick’s outplaying his contract led to a disagreement about finances.

Unfortunately, Haason Reddick’s tailspin continues.

Once it became clear that one of the most bitter standoffs in NFL history wouldn’t end peacefully, the Eagles made their decision. On April 1, 2024, Reddick was traded to the New York Jets for a conditional 2026 mid-round selection. Conditions were part of the deal. If Reddick were to reach 67.5% of playing time and notch ten sacks in 2024, a conditional third-round pick would be elevated to a second-round selection.

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Neither condition was met. That led to the Eagles eventually receiving the Jets‘ 2026 third-round pick. Reddick held out, refusing to join his team immediately. He was fined. He returned, and his one-and-done affair with the Jets ended with one sack in ten games. This past season, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He produced another snoozer of a campaign. Free agency wears on, and he has yet to find another home.

It seems strange. For as dominant as he was early in his career and during his time with the Eagles, Reddick has vanished over these past two seasons. Selflessness was replaced by selfishness. Whether fair or not, perception becomes reality in the NFL. Teams don’t just evaluate production. They evaluate dependability, leadership, and whether a player elevates or complicates the locker room. For Haason Reddick, the numbers have dipped at the same time questions about availability and contract disputes have risen. That’s a difficult combination for any front office to overlook, especially when younger, cheaper edge rushers are constantly entering the league.

Still, the door isn’t completely closed. Pass rushers with Reddick’s résumé don’t just forget how to get to the quarterback overnight. It may take the right situation, or a contender willing to offer a short-term deal, a defined role, and a chance to rebuild his value.

Perhaps the opportunity will come. What happens next will say everything. Either this becomes a cautionary tale about how quickly things can unravel, or it’s remembered as a temporary detour before a veteran found his footing again.