Tampa Bay Buccaneers Keen on adding Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick to Roster
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defied expectations by clinching the NFC South title for the third consecutive season and advanced impressively to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield’s resurgence, coupled with receiver Mike Evans’ remarkable 10th-straight 1,000-yard receiving season, significantly contributed to their success, as did the stellar performance of coach Todd Bowles’s defense. Despite allowing the seventh-fewest points per game, the offense averaged 20.5 points, indicating room for improvement. Nevertheless, the defense stood firm for the majority of the season.
Speculation is rife that players like outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett might not make the 2024 roster due to NFL business dynamics. However, a new name has emerged—Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick—who could potentially elevate the Buccaneers’ defense to greater heights next season.
Acquiring Reddick, who has expressed interest in seeking a trade, presents challenges given his nearly $16 million cap hit. Nonetheless, with Tampa Bay currently holding just under $38 million in projected cap space for next season, restructuring contracts for defensive tackle Vita Vea and cornerback Jamel Dean could free up an additional $19 million, facilitating Reddick’s acquisition. Designating Barrett as a post-June 1st release would further bolster the budget, leaving the Buccaneers with $46 million to potentially re-sign key players like Mayfield, Evans, safety Antoine Winfield, and linebackers Lavonte David and/or Devin White.
Reddick, who turns 30 in September, is fresh off his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance and has recorded double-digit sacks for the past four years, spanning stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, and most recently, the Philadelphia Eagles since 2022. His durability and consistency make him an enticing prospect for Tampa Bay.
Notably, Reddick’s connection to Temple, where Bruce Arians began his head coaching career and where several staff members of the Buccaneers’ recent Super Bowl-winning team hail from, adds an intriguing layer to the potential acquisition, given Bowles’s own ties to the university as a former player under Arians.
