Why Pursuing a Haason Reddick Trade Makes Zero Sense for Carolina

Carolina needs to put all its focus on building out the offense around Bryce Young.

Author:
Schuyler Callihan
Feb 13, 2024 10:07 AM EST

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A piece of news broke this weekend that not many saw coming - Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick has been granted permission by the organization to seek a trade, according to report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

A few years back, the Panthers signed Reddick at a bargain rate following an 12.5 sack campaign with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. There was some skepticism around the league regarding Reddick's breakout season considering he combined to register seven sacks across his first three years in the league.

In his lone season with the Panthers, Reddick proved he was indeed the real deal racking up 18 QB hits, 12 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. Reddick stated on numerous occasions that he would like to be a part of the Panthers' rebuild but instead, he ended up signing with the team he grew up watching as a kid, the Philadelphia Eagles.

In two years with the Eagles, Reddick has totaled 87 tackles, 49 QB hits, 27 sacks, and 24 tackles for loss. Heading to his age 30 season, Reddick will garner a lot of interest around the league and likely won't come at a cheap price in any trade.

I've seen some on social media suggest the Panthers throw their hat in the ring and although it's worth calling, it's probably not the route they need to go. The defense as currently constructed is built to win now. Sure, adding another pass rusher can only help but with limited draft capital and several glaring holes on the offensive side of the ball, trading for Reddick shouldn't be at or anywhere near the top of their list of priorities.

If for whatever reason you call and the asking price is considerably cheap, then it's worth entertaining. But again, it's more than just what you'd have to give up to get the veteran pass rusher. It's the financial piece that makes it less appealing. He carries a $21.8 million cap hit in 2024 and for a team that is coming off a two-win season, spending that kind of money at an area that's not a position of need is illogical.