New York Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick officially requested a trade on Monday afternoon, according to multiple reports. Reddick is displeased with the state of his contract and has been skipping training camp. His absence has led to daily monetary fines. Jets general manager Joe Douglas responded by vehemently declining his request, at least publicly.
Jets GM Joe Douglas on Haason Reddick’s trade request: pic.twitter.com/N5SekYjzEB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 12, 2024
Reddick is currently scheduled to earn a base salary of $14.2 million in the final year of his contract this season. He was unhappy with his expiring deal when the Jets acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this offseason in exchange for a conditional third-round selection. The Jets haven't made amendments to the contract they inherited, and Reddick remains dissatisfied.
We've identified three potential landing spots for Reddick should the Jets decide to trade him.
DETROIT LIONS
A contender like the Detroit Lions should be intrigued. The Lions are slated to enter the 2024 campaign without a clear-cut pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson is a budding superstar who recorded 11.5 sacks as a sophomore last season, but who starts opposite him remains a work in progress.
General manager Brad Holmes took a flier on Marcus Davenport in free agency, signing the former first-rounder to a one-year contract. Davenport had two sacks in four games for the Minnesota Vikings last season and is far from a sure thing. Other contenders on the roster include Josh Paschal and James Houston. Reddick would be a big-time upgrade.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
The previous regime may have made an error by trading away Montez Sweat. New general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn both come from franchises (49ers/Cowboys) that utilize terrific depth at the pass-rushing positions. Quinn is a defensive-minded coach who had DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons in Dallas.
The Commanders revamped the edge position by signing Clelin Ferrell and Dorance Armstrong and drafting Javontae Jean-Baptiste. Adding a real difference-maker like Reddick would give Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. more to work with. The Commanders are scheduled to have $69.7 million in effective cap space next offseason according to Over The Cap's salary calculator. They have the flexibility to make changes to Reddick's contract.
CHICAGO BEARS
The franchise that acquired Sweat from the Commanders could still use another pass rusher. The Chicago Bears are entering the 2024 season with designs on being legitimate postseason contenders. Hope springs anew with franchise quarterback Caleb Williams at the helm.
Chicago's sizable goals may be difficult to achieve with their lack of pass-rushing depth. Veteran rotational player DeMarcus Walker is set to start opposite Sweat. Fifth-round rookie Austin Booker has a chance to play a ton of reps given the lack of competition in front of him, paired with his early preseason performances.
Defensive-minded head coach Matt Eberflus should aim higher considering his job is likely on the line. With Williams being on an affordable rookie contract, the time to aggressively acquire veteran talent is now. Pairing Reddick with Sweat would provide the Bears with a fearsome pass-rushing duo.
