BSPN: Signing Haason Reddick Was A Strong Move
July 11th, 2025
Unleashing an edge rush.
Just a few months ago, Joe was about to lose his damn mind. And Joe’s readers suffered along.
Joe could not believe how little an otherwise strong organization seemed to care about an edge rush. The team even had a veteran defensive line coach confess to not caring where sacks came from.
Just on face value, this statement flew in the face of both football history and logic. Not coincidentally, the Bucs were turrible rushing the passer from the edge. And the Bucs’ pass defense was, once again, wretched in 2024.
Joe pined for the Bucs to sign a proven edge rusher more than Joe would beg for cold beer on a hot Central Florida July Friday afternoon when the air conditioning is on the fritz.
The smoke signals coming from One Buc Palace read, “Fuh-getta-bout-it.”
Joe began to quietly question life, wondering if the Bucs were even serious about taking the next step to try to return to the Super Bowl.
And then the bombshell exploded when the 2025 free agency dinner bell rang. The Bucs signed a proven edge rusher! The Bucs got Haason Reddick.
HALLELUJAH!
Joe wasn’t the only guy impressed. So too was a man who never met a number he didn’t like, Seth Walder of BSPN.
In fact, Walder thinks Reddick could be a key piece to a pass defense puzzle Todd Bowles is working to solve.
Tampa Bay also took what I thought was a worthwhile gamble on Reddick at one year, $14 million. Reddick is coming off a lost season that featured a long contract standoff, 10 games played and only one sack. But Reddick has been an elite pass rusher (he posted double-digit sacks every year from 2020 to 2023) and could help Todd Bowles’ defense if he bounces back.
At the very least, the presence of Reddick ought to help YaYa Diaby. No longer should teams be able to get away with only worrying about YaYa off the edge. So long as Reddick is on the field, offenses will have to account for him.
That should mean less traffic for YaYa to fight through.
If Reddick has just a mediocre season by his 2020-2023 standards, that could unleash a ferocious pass defense. And let’s be real, that was the only thing keeping the Bucs from winning playoff games last winter.
July 11th, 2025 at 5:09 am
Couldn’t agree more. Am overjoyed about getting Reddick. I think he will prove himself in the season. Can’t wait to see what he does. The grade B+ is perfect. Rooting on YaYa too.
July 11th, 2025 at 5:44 am
Von Miller was a “proven pass rusher” when he signed with the Bills. Doesnt mean much until they can prove they can still play.
July 11th, 2025 at 6:31 am
Signing Reddick – One step forward. Tristan Wirfs debacle – 2 steps back.
July 11th, 2025 at 7:32 am
I’m thrilled that we signed someone, but just like the comment says it’s a gamble. Will we get the one sack player or the double digit player. Not raining on the parade, it’s just that we’ve seen both sides of the free agent signings. I really liked the Jordan Whitehead signing last season so I’ll play the wait and see card.
July 11th, 2025 at 7:59 am
With Heyjude on this one. Overjoyed Bucs got a player of his caliber for that kind of dollars.
July 11th, 2025 at 8:13 am
When Devin White was at his best, and when we had Shaq, JPP, Suh, we won the Sb with a feared pass rush. Now we have Reddick, Yaya, Kancey, and hopefully Dennis be those guys. It also helped drafting two corners, and moving Tykee to safety. Coaches have changed, and hopefully some scheme changes on the way. Just a couple of weeks away we’ll see how it comes together.
July 11th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Reddick held out for a new deal. Went to what looked like a chance to be on a winning team with the Jets, Rodgers & Selah were allegedly not seeing eye to eye, Selah gets canned, then Reddick comes back and has an subpar 10 game performance.
That’s the timeline as far as his Jets tenure, but before then he was on a 4 year run putting up double-digit sacks each season from 2020-23 and had a total of 50 in that span and a single season high of 16 sacks in 2022. I am personally inclined to believe Reddick can be who he was before his time with the Jets mostly because he’s no longer with the Jets.
July 11th, 2025 at 8:51 am
He can do nothing but Help this team this year.
Yes, as I have stated this whole off-season the Achilles heel of this team is that Putrid Pass Defense that can’t get off the field on 3rd down. This success of this year’s team will be helped or hindered by the same issue again. This Offense is Top 5 in the NFL. If Bowles fails to improve the D this year you have to wonder if that extension makes sense. Go BUCS!!
July 11th, 2025 at 10:02 am
Reddick could be the genie that grants Joes’ wish (more 3 and outs) and Bowles’ wish (more picks).
July 11th, 2025 at 10:56 am
If Reddick has a poor year, at least he forced the Bucs to get rid of JTS! There’s a big improvement right there.
July 11th, 2025 at 11:21 am
I’m on the fence about Reddick. Hopefully last year was a combination of frustration and playing for a dumpster fire.
July 11th, 2025 at 11:35 am
I am leaning towards believing he will do whatever it takes to get one last obscene payday. Thinking about that reminds me of when Mother Trib’s sports page would have a big cartoon the day before a game with Tom McEwen’s commentary. Steve Young was quarterback. He had a little poem that ended with: “and send in Young with a gun”. I think that’s the kind of effort we will get from Reddick this year. I just hope he still has a little lead in his pencil.
July 11th, 2025 at 11:38 am
He’s Hasson Reddick. He ain’t Joe Blow. Of course he helps us. Looks good and healthy. WilieG thinks he can help exponentially! Wouldn’t that be a hoot!
July 11th, 2025 at 11:43 am
I was just curious. JTS is slated to make $4.75 mil this year with Brown. Should I have bothered to capitalize that? Don’t know if it’s guaranteed.
July 11th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Kenton: I sure hope you’re right. Odds are you’re right, though.
July 11th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
But can he cover? Can’t wait to see drop back into coverage every game.
July 11th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
he’s going to be the Baker of the defense, claimed off scrap heap to re ignite his career with the bucs
July 11th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Reddick is the secret weapon in Todd’s pass defense. He will drop 20 yards deep and wide to cover the sideline. No one will expect it.
July 11th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
“Joe pined for the Bucs to sign a proven edge rusher more than Joe would beg for cold beer…”
…served by miss Rachel Watson poolside in her bikini.
There, I fixed it for you.
July 11th, 2025 at 9:04 pm
But of course! 🙂