Jets Trade for Haason Reddick

Edition #605

Good morning ☕

Special Saturday edition today considering the news we had yesterday. I don't have a ton of time this morning but I just wanted to get some thoughts down on what is a huge trade for the Jets.

TRADE DETAILS 🤝

JETS GET: HAASON REDDICK.

EAGLES GET: CONDITIONAL 2026 3RD ROUND PICK WHICH TURNS INTO A 2ND ROUND PICK IF REDDICK PLAYS 67.5% OF SNAPS ANS HAS 10 SACKS.

• This is a win now move for Joe Douglas. Reddick is one of two NFL players to record at least 10 sacks in each of the past four seasons alongside Myles Garrett. He's a premier player at a positional group that is highly valued league wide.

• If the Jets are happy paying $14.5 million in 2024, why did they decide not to make a play for Huff? That's the most frequent question I've received. In part I think it's to do with guarantees, Reddick is a short term commitment considering he's heading into the last year of his deal. Huff was a longer term commitment with more guarantees. This gives Will McDonald a chance to develop in a role that will probably be similar to the one Huff played last year. Reddick is a better run defender than Huff and the plan is likely to let him walk after this year and recoup a 3rd round pick through the NFL compensatory process.

• Reddick brings a veteran presence to the team who can help develop Jermaine Johnson and WMD. He's still in his prime and he's still producing at an elite level. We've spoken about this numerous times, but this defence is predicated on early pressure and Reddick offers that. I was worried about the drop off in production once Huff left, believing it was too much to ask WMD to match that production. That's no longer a concern.

• This also means that the Jets are almost certainly not taking a DE at #10. That rumour had been picking up steam recently and I think it would have been a tough pill to swallow for fans. Now that pick is almost guaranteed to be on the offensive side of the ball and if the Jets really are going all out, I wouldn't be surprised to see JD make a move to climb up and get one of those premier wise receivers.

• What does this do to JFM? This was a good thought by Rich Cimini, but considering Reddick plays over 70% of snaps and Huff played less than 50%, JFM’s $16.4 million cap charge is looking problematic. Can the Jets use the extra depth to try and negotiate a restructure? Possibly. JFM is an excellent run defender and he offers plenty in the pass-rush game. But based on Reddick arriving and JJ’s curve of improvement, JFM is likely going to be the 3rd best DE on the squad next year, paying over $16 million is a lot of money.

• Reddick is also extremely versatile and capable of dropping into coverage, shifting post snap, moving well in space. There's a lot you can do with him if you're creative and the Jets are creative on defence.

• One thing we can't forget is that we will be getting a compensatory pick for Bryce Huff which will be either a 4th or 3rd. So if we get that pick for Huff in 2025 and then get another 4th or 3rd for Reddick if he doesn't re-sign, then I don't think we should be concerned about sending a 2026 pick for one of the most consistent edges in football over the last 5 years.

This is a really interesting trade and one I'm personally really happy with. The ideal of a front four that consists of Reddick, Johnson, Quinnen and Kinlaw is pretty exciting and near impossible to defend if you're an offensive coordinator. I understand the argument that the Jets should have just signed Huff, but I think the Jets get the better player in 2024 here and with Aaron Rodgers turning 40 we're all in this season and Joe Douglas knows that he needs to win now.