Trade Grade: New York Jets Acquire Haason Reddick

Did Joe Douglas and the New York Jets fleece Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles for a Pro Bowl edge rusher?

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

The New York Jets have agreed to acquire Pro Bowl edge rusher Haason Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a conditional 2026 third-round pick.

The shockwaves of the move were sent throughout the NFL as one of the league's best teams parted ways with their best defensive player, and one of the most talented defenses in the league added a piece they were missing.

As with any trade, judging who won and lost before the games are played is difficult. Reddick has been healthy all his career, but should an injury be sustained, it could greatly effect the outlook of this move.

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

That being said, there's enough information to be able to grade the trade on its own for both sides. Let's break it down here.

New York Jets: A+

Let's break this down for people who still have problems understanding:

The Jets, a team that went 7-10 last year despite fielding a top-10 defense, added one of the most consistent edge defenders in football to add to a unit with three different All-Pros already at unique roles. And only for a draft pick in 2026.

That's incredible value.

Reddick has been one of the best edge defenders in football over the last five seasons. His 52 sacks in that span is fifth amongst players at his position and a clear sign he isn't slowing down despite being 29 years old.

The only question the Jets have to answer is the money issue. The only reason Reddick was traded was because he wanted a long-term deal with Philadelphia that paid him to be among the best at his position. The Jets don't have the cap space Philadelphia has, so how will they make the Camden native happy? In reality, while a long-term deal could be reached, New York could also feasibly give Reddick a one-year raise in the form of a bonus, lower the cap hit for 2024, and then let the edge rusher walk in 2025.

That being said, this is an all-in move for Gang Green, in an offseason full of them. The fact they don't have to give up significant draft capital for the upcoming draft or in 2025 is so massive. With general manager Joe Douglas, and his coaching staff on the hot seat, it's clear that he wasn't concerned with parting ways with future draft picks.

It's the right move and makes this trade even better for the Jets.

Philadelphia Eagles: C-

Since becoming general manager of the Eagles, there have been few times where Howie Roseman has actually felt like he was "fleeced" on a deal. The man who acquired All-Pro talents like A.J. Brown and C.J. Gardner-Johnson for excellent value has a history of taking teams to the cleaners on trades.

This almost feels like the opposite happened.

The Eagles defense was 26th in the league last year in sacks, despite Reddick being the only player with only 10. The former Temple star was Philadelphia's best defensive player - not just their best edge rusher - and was also one of the more clutch players on the roster.

To give an impactful player away for a draft pick that won't even be available for another two years is as stunning a move as Roseman has made. Sure, the team prepared for Reddick's loss when they signed Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million deal and drafted Nolan Smith last season in the first round, but the Eagles are hoping either player becomes the kind of star Reddick is.

And instead of keeping his talent around for another season, the cap questions was too much for the organization to deal with.

Any way you want to look at this the conclusion remains the same. Douglas and the Jets got significantly better for 2024, and the Eagles came away with more questions.