The New York Jets‘ 2024 season was nothing short of a disaster, finishing with a disappointing 5-12 record and never coming close to NFL playoff contention. Among the many disappointments was pass rusher Haason Reddick, who after just one underwhelming season with the Jets, has now signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in search of a fresh start and a return to his dominant form.
Reddick, who managed only one sack in New York after four consecutive seasons with double-digit sack totals, didn’t mince words when describing his time with the Jets. Speaking to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Reddick labeled his season with Gang Green as “very bizarre”.
“It’s just a fresh start,” Reddick said of joining the Buccaneers. “I know everybody is worried about last year, but last year is last year. I’m here now. Different mindset. Different space.” He added: “Just ready to put the past behind me and continue to move forward — and what better place to do it than here?”
A mismatch from the start: wasted talent in the wrong system
From the beginning, Reddick’s fit in Robert Saleh’s defensive scheme appeared questionable. While the Jets boasted a strong overall defense, they struggled to utilize Reddick’s unique skill set as a premier edge rusher. Instead of unleashing him off the edge — where he built a reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous pass rushers — Reddick was often asked to drop back or play off the line of scrimmage, dramatically limiting his impact.
Haason Reddick
The result? A career-low single sack for the entire NFL season, a stunning drop for a player who had logged 16 sacks just two years earlier while helping lead the Philadelphia Eagles to an NFC Championship. Add to that a lack of chemistry within the defense and a locker room clouded by the weight of a failed season, and it’s no surprise Reddick described his Jets tenure as “bizarre” — a clear reflection of discomfort and frustration within the system.
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What Reddick brings to Tampa Bay
For the Buccaneers, Reddick’s arrival could prove to be a savvy addition. Under Todd Bowles’ aggressive, blitz-heavy defensive scheme, Reddick should return to a role that allows him to attack the quarterback — something Tampa Bay desperately needs after an inconsistent pass rush performance in 2024.
More importantly, Reddick arrives in Tampa with a chip on his shoulder. He has plenty to prove — that his down year in New York was an anomaly, not a sign of decline. If he recaptures the form that made him one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers, Reddick could be a game-changing addition to a Buccaneers defense looking to reclaim dominance in the NFC South and make another deep NFL playoff run.
