Philadelphia Eagles Left Haason Reddick's Dad 'Baffled' By Trade: 'It Felt Awkward'

Following his son's trade to the New York Jets, Haason Reddick's dad was left "baffled" by Philadelphia Eagles' general manager Howie Roseman's unwillingness to negotiate a long-term contract extension.

Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7). / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

When reports first came out that the Philadelphia Eagles had permitted Haason Reddick to start seeking a trade elsewhere, it caught many by surprise, to say the least. The 29-year-old, who signed with the Eagles back in 2022, went on to make a name for himself as one of the league’s top pass-rushers. He featured in a star-studded defense that helped Philadelphia make it to the doorstep of a Super Bowl win two seasons ago. 

But fans weren’t the only ones who may have been shocked to hear the news that the Eagles were ready to move from their leader in sacks of the last two seasons. Even Reddick’s dad, Raymond Matthew, was “baffled” by the trade that sent the 29-year-old to the New York Jets in exchange for a conditional 2026 third-round pick.

Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7). / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

"I really can't wrap my head around it. I'm baffled like everyone else," the two-time Pro Bowler’s father said in a recent interview with ESPN. "He outperformed his contract. ... He just wanted market value. He just wanted the numbers that made sense, which he didn't get.

"It was a thing where I guess [general manager] Howie Roseman felt that it was better to go that way. It felt awkward. It did."

When the news first broke that the Eagles had given Reddick permission to start looking for a trade, it felt like another page from general manager Howie Roseman’s playbook.

Just a year earlier, while locked into contract negotiations with veteran cornerback Darius Slay, the now 33-year-old was permitted to look for a trade before being told he would be released. However, neither a trade nor release ever happened, as Roseman found a way to negotiate a new deal for Slay. 

It initially felt like the same playbook was being deployed with Reddick. After all, since signing a three-year, $45 million deal ahead of the 2022 season, it is hard to argue against the fact that Reddick has certainly done enough to earn another lucrative long-term contract. 

In his two seasons in Philadephia, Reddick totaled 27 sacks, which, according to ESPN, is the fourth-highest total in the league from a player since 2022, while he finished third in “pass rush wins” in that same time span.

The only two players ahead of him in pass rush wins? Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons. 

Those two are the definition of “elite” company for edge rushers in the NFL today, and the Eagles are letting go of someone who was right up there with them. 

However, even with Reddick’s “elite” production, the Eagles made the tough decision to move on, as they signed now-former New York Jets edge rusher Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million deal. Then, just a few weeks later, the Eagles would send Reddick to New York in exchange for a conditional third-round pick.