New York Jets Legend Joe Klecko Grades Haason Reddick Trade: 'I Love It'

New York Jets legend, and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Joe Klecko is a big fan of Gang Green’s acquisition of All Pro linebacker Haason Reddick.

Aug 5, 2023; Canton, OH, USA; New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts former defensive lineman and / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets acquisition of former Philadelphia Eagles’ linebacker Haason Reddick has been overwhelmingly met with rave reviews from Gang Green’s fanbase. 

However, New York may count one of its all-time greatest defensive players as perhaps its biggest fan.  

“He’s a player-and-a-half. I don’t care how good they were on defense last year; it wasn’t good enough. Reddick makes them a much better football team,” said Jets legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end/tackle Joe Klecko, via ESPN.

“The opposite of a great quarterback is having great guys to put the quarterback down. That’s how the NFL works. This is a big deal. I love it.”

Joe Klecko delivers his speech during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement, Saturday, Aug. 5 / Kevln Whitlock / USA TODAY NETWORK

Reddick, 29, has been one of the Eagles’ top linebackers since joining the team in 2022. However, his positional prowess as one of the NFL’s most-fearsome pass-rushers extends back for at least four seasons — a stretch in which he posted 11 or more sacks per year for both the Eagles and the Carolina Panthers, for whom he played in 2021. During his two years in the City of Brotherly Love,  Reddick collected 27 sacks and 76 pressures, while being selected for two Pro Bowls and earning a second-team All Pro nod in 2022.

Klecko, who played 11 seasons (1977-87) for the Jets, was a member of the vaunted “New York Sack Exchange'' defensive front of the early 1980s. Klecko led the league in sacks with 20.5 in 1981 and was also named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was selected to three All Pro teams and four Pro Bowls during his time with New York. 

Like Klecko, Reddick is also a prominent alumnus of Temple University. Accordingly, the former is hoping that the latter experiences even greater success while wearing a Jets uniform. 

At his best, Reddick has an uncanny ability to draw a bead on the football, as well as the passer. Despite setting a career-high 16 sacks in 2022, he also led the NFL with five forced fumbles, three of which he recovered. 19 tackles for loss in the run game since 2020, tied for 11th among edge defenders over that span. He also has experience dropping into coverage due to his background as an inside linebacker, as he has played at least 40 coverage snaps in every year of his career.

With the Jets, he should immediately vault to the top of the position depth chart at weakside linebacker. Accordingly, he will help bolster a New York edge rush which includes defensive ends Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin-Myers. Johnson set a career-high by compiling 7.5 sacks, while Franklin-Meyers contributed 3.5. Former first-team All Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams will also play a prominent role in the team’s pass defense, having contributed 5.5 sacks and one interception last season. Defensive end Will McDonald IV, New York’s 2023 first round (No. 15 overall) pick, ensures strong depth along their front seven for the foreseeable future. 

Though a sequel to the “Sack Exchange” cannot be guaranteed, Klecko’s endorsement of New York’s 2024 defense should have Jets fans excited for what is to come in East Rutherford.