Now that the 2023–24 NFL season is officially over, there are a lot of speculations going around the league regarding the summer. The Detroit Lions could trade for Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Haason Reddick, which is one of the most intriguing trade rumors circulating.
David Kenyon of Bleacher Report listed the Lions as one of five possible trade destinations for the 2022 second-team All-Pro pass rusher on February 13. Kenyon suggested that in exchange for Reddick, the Lions offer a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fourth-round selection.
In this year’s draft, the second-round pick would come at position 61 overall.
According to Kenyon, “the Lions could send the 61st overall pick as the main asset for Reddick if they embrace a Super Bowl charge.” Detroit would only be selected 12 spots later at No. 73 in any case, according to a prior deal.
With 41 sacks, Detroit ranks merely 23rd in the NFL, despite leading the league in pressure rate (28.2). Only two players who were often used as pass rushers, defensive lineman Alim McNeill (5.0) and edge Aidan Hutchinson (11.5), have more than three sacks.
“The Lions have over $40 million in cap space to accommodate Reddick, who would be a huge boost to the defensive front.”
Reddick committed to the Eagles before the 2022 season with a three-year, $45 million deal.
He recorded a career-high 16 sacks and 26 quarterback hits in his debut season with Philadelphia. Reddick made the second team All-Pro despite committing a league-high five forced fumbles.
This offseason, will Philadelphia Eagles trade edge rusher Haason Reddick?
Interestingly, Kenyon made his list public on the same day that Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report revealed Reddick had informed him he had never asked the Eagles for a trade.
“I want to get an extension done here at my house,” Reddick informed Schultz. “I never expressed my desire to be traded to the organization at any time.”
Reddick is not only from the neighborhood and has a great deal of respect for the Eagles organization. Born in Camden, New Jersey, he was a Temple University football player.
However, there are still trade whispers circling the veteran, and Reddick seems to have accepted that he needs to have options.
Reddick stated on his X (Twitter account) that he had never sought for a trade. But I am aware that it is a business. Getting ready for the next thing!
For the 2024 season, Reddick will receive a base salary of $14.25 million. That year is the last one on his present contract, though, and there are no more guaranteed payments due.
Reddick joined the Arizona Cardinals as the 13th overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. Reddick made a splash in 2020 with 12.5 sacks after three lackluster seasons.
Every year after then, he has attained double-digit sacks.
Reddick spent one season in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers in between playing for the Cardinals and Eagles.
Throughout his NFL career, Reddick has recorded 58 sacks, 410 combined tackles, and 69 tackles for loss in 114 games. Moreover, he has 19 pass defenses, 16 forced fumbles, and 99 quarterback hits to his belt.
Is Reddick a Fit for the Detroit Lions?
Reddick’s previous target, according to Bleacher Report, was the Lions. Reddick was first suggested for acquisition by Detroit by the NFL scouting section of Bleacher Report the day following the Lions’ NFC championship game defeat.
The Lions would be wise to add a pass-rushing improvement like Reddick. Though it didn’t result in many sacks, the Lions put a lot of pressure on quarterbacks in 2023, as Kenyon pointed out. Detroit’s 41 sacks were good for a tie for 23rd place.
The Lions might become one of the top pass-rushing teams in the NFL if Reddick is added to play alongside Aidan Hutchinson. As the team’s pass defense finished the previous season ranked 27th in the league, it could assist.
In order to give Reddick a new deal, the Lions have the salary cap space. Not only that, but the Lions have two third-round picks while Detroit would forfeit its second-round pick in the deal Kenyon offered.
That would lessen the impact of losing the overall No. 61 pick.
It makes perfect sense that the Lions would be interested in Reddick if he is truly available.