Haason Reddick offers reassurance to New York Jets fans following the Philadelphia Eagles’ acquisition of an edge rusher.

Haason Reddick has offered his perspective to New York Jets fans following his trade from the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 29-year-old edge rusher has reassured fans that the Eagles’ decision to trade him wasn’t due to his performance. In exchange for Reddick, the Jets traded a third-round draft pick in 2026, with the possibility of upgrading to a second-round pick if Reddick plays at least 67.5% of the time and achieves 10 sacks in 2024.

The trade occurred shortly after Bryce Huff moved from the Jets to the Eagles, signing a three-year contract. Some fans have questioned the move, given Reddick’s impressive statistics, including leading in forced fumbles since 2020 and ranking fourth in sacks (50.5) over the last four seasons. Additionally, Reddick has displayed remarkable reliability, having missed only one game since entering the NFL in 2017, which is particularly valuable for the injury-prone Jets.

Reddick clarified on Monday that the Eagles’ decision wasn’t based on his performance. He hinted that perhaps he requested a higher salary than what the Eagles could afford. “It wasn’t about what he has left in the tank. It’s a business, and sometimes tough decisions need to be made, even if you disagree with them,” Reddick explained to reporters.

Initially targeting former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, the Jets shifted their focus to Reddick after Clowney opted to join the Carolina Panthers instead.

The Eagles enlisted Reddick in 2022 following their narrow miss in Super Bowl LVII, where the Kansas City Chiefs secured a last-minute victory in Arizona. In 2023, the Jets handed the Eagles their first defeat despite their promising 10-1 start, which ultimately led to their downfall. Reddick sees his move to New Jersey as an exciting opportunity for a fresh beginning.

“It’s a new chapter for me… I’m happy,” expressed Reddick, who hails from New Jersey and is now returning home. Joining one of the top defenses in the NFL, he is enthusiastic about showcasing his best performance. “I’m all about consistently putting QBs under pressure,” Reddick emphasized.

Additionally, he is eager to support his teammates, especially considering Will McDonald was anticipated to replace Huff on the roster. McDonald, the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, struggled to make a significant impact during his debut season. With Reddick joining the team, McDonald can focus on honing his skills.

Reddick has already had discussions with Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich about McDonald, stating, “There’s a lot of knowledge I have to offer. And that’s what I’m here to do.”