Buccaneers’ Former All-Pro Pass Rusher Primed for Resurgence

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in Haason Reddick on a one-year, $14 million contract this offseason to bring a new element to their pass rush. Through the beginning of training camp, all signs are pointing toward the change of scenery doing wonders for the 30-year-old.

Prior to the 2024 season, Reddick showed he was consistently one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers, finishing with double-digit sacks in each year from 2020-2023.

The peak of Reddick’s success came in 2022, totaling 16 sacks en route to a second-team All-Pro nod as well as being fourth in defensive player of the year voting.

Both other players and coaches within the Buccaneers organization have noticed how Reddick has hit the ground running during his first training camp in Tampa Bay.

The quick and exciting start to Reddick’s time with his new team is a welcome one, considering how rocky his 2024 campaign ended up.

What Went Wrong in 2024

Before joining the Buccaneers, Haason Reddick spent the 2024 season with the New York Jets, with things never truly working out as either side had planned.

The Jets traded for the edge rusher from the Philadelphia Eagles, expecting him to play under the contract he was signed to at the time. Reddick intended to get a multi-year contract upwards of $25 million annually, which would’ve put him alongside some of the best edges in the league.

With neither side coming to an agreement, Reddick held out of all offseason activities, as well as training camp and the first six games of the regular season. When he did return, the success he had in previous seasons didn’t show.

Finishing the year with just one sack was unprecedented for Reddick, who had been a pro-bowler the two seasons prior. The Buccaneers are hoping a change of scenery, along with a full offseason, can help get Reddick back to playing at his full potential.

Reddick took a one-year deal with Tampa Bay, intending to show the league he still has plenty of gas left in the tank, and is set on earning the long-term contract he feels he has deserved all along.

How Tampa Bay Plans to Unlock His Double-Digit Sack Potential

The Buccaneers were a great fit for Haason Reddick for a multitude of reasons. Consistent pass-rushing success of the edge was one of Tampa Bay’s biggest weak points in 2024, with the team’s top two sack leaders both rushing from the inside.

In the Buccaneers’ first depth chart of 2025, Reddick is slotted as a starter on the edge alongside Yaya Diaby, with a huge opportunity to cement himself as a three-down player and full-time starter.

Reddick should benefit from playing alongside Vita Vea as well, with the two-time Pro Bowler demanding attention from opposing offenses, which should lead to more one-on-one matchups for Reddick on the outside.

Tampa Bay also has been great at defending the run in recent memory, allowing the fourth-fewest yards on the ground in 2024. Reddick, although a solid run defender in his 3-4 outside-linebacker role, definitely thrives when he can pin his ears back and get after the quarterback in obvious passing situations.

Head coach Todd Bowles has had great success with blitz-heavy schemes that should be a great fit for Reddick’s skill set. With a good mix of speed and power, as well as a pass-rushing toolbelt that has proven success, Reddick fits the mold of a Shaquil Barrett-esque rusher, which Bowles and the Buccaneers have had great success with in the past.