Haason Reddick Reveals Thoughts on Philadelphia Eagles Trade & Super Bowl

Former Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Haason Reddick met with the media of his new team, the New York Jets, after being traded on Easter Weekend, and looked back on his time in Philly

Aug 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

It’s still strange, 48 hours later, to hear Haason Reddick talk about being with the New York Jets now, and not the Philadelphia Eagles.

The pass rusher met the media in New York on Monday, and it was no April Fool’s joke. He’s really a part of a Jets team that will try to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

“It’s a new beginning,” Reddick said during a press conference with his new crop of beat writers on Monday. “A new chapter for me. I get to come here and be around some great players. Some guys that have made some names for themselves especially on the defensive side of the ball.

“I’m happy and I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to getting out there in front of the fans and just showing what I can bring as an asset to the team.”

Strange, right?

Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Reddick was traded on Easter Weekend’s Good Friday for a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 draft. The draft pick could become a second-round selection dependent on him getting 67.5 percent of the defensive snaps and recording at least 10 sacks.

The sack total shouldn’t be too difficult to hit since he has reached double-digit sacks in four straight seasons. New York, however, has a deep defensive front and playing that number of snaps could be a challenge.

Reddick gave a little bit a glimpse into his former team’s run to Super Bowl LVII two years ago, and it is something he is hoping to help the Jets learn as they try to end their playoff drought.

Having a quarterback Aaron Rodgers should help as well, but adding a good player to an already good defense will also help in that quest.

“The biggest thing was chemistry and bonding,” said Reddick. “If you look at that 2022 season where we went to the Super Bowl that year, we had so many pieces come in. But we were dedicated to getting to know one another, we were dedicated to being around each other. We were dedicated to being friends and having a brotherly type of bond with each other and that was something on display the full year.

“I think that was one of the major things that I can bring here is that brotherly love, bring people along. Helping everything become a family tight unit that way we can all reach our goals and be where we want to be.”

Reddick shed some light on his shocking departure from Philadelphia and the team he rooted for as a kid growing up in Camden, N.J., and playing at Temple University. As he tells it, it had nothing to do with production concerns as he approaches 30, but it was all financial.

He wanted $20-plus million per year. The Jets have not yet given him a new contract, so it remains to be seen what happens on that front.

"It wasn't about what he has left in the tank,” he said. “It's a business and sometimes hard decisions gotta be made even if you don't like them.”

Finally, Reddick took to social media to thank the Eagles and their fans with this message:

“Philadelphia, saying ‘thank you’ is not enough to express my gratitude for the love and support you showed me in my time as an Eagle. Bird gang, it was an honor to play for you, as your love for the game and your city is a feat to behold.

“To my teammates, brothers forever, new challenges and teams will never sever the bond of friendship made on and off the field.

“To the Eagles organization, thank you for the opportunity to play in my home city. This was a dream for any kid growing up in Camden.

“To my family, you are the backbone of my life. Without you, I would have never been able to achieve my dreams…”