Can 'Powerful' Haason Reddick Be Difference Maker For Buccaneers?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season hummed along in the second half of the year with the offense flying, but it was the defense that struggled at times, and in particular, the pass rush.

With no defender surpassing 7.5 sacks, Tampa Bay knew it needed a premier pass-rusher to join the likes of Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, Logan Hall, and Yaya Diaby.

Enter Haason Reddick.

After a four-year stretch where he was one of the most consistent pass rushers in football, Reddick now finds himself in Tampa Bay, and The Athletic thinks the veteran could be quite the addition to Todd Bowles' defense.

"Haason Reddick had only one sack last season and skipped some offseason workouts, which led to uncertainty about his ability to impact the defense," The Athletic writes. "But Reddick’s presence at minicamp was powerful. Reddick, who had 50 1/2 sacks between 2020 and 2023, hasn’t forgotten how to get to the quarterback, even though he had an awful 2024 with the Jets. 

"The expectation on this team is Reddick will have a productive season — and help teammates do the same."

Seen as potentially the final piece of the defensive puzzle, Reddick will be playing for a new contract in 2025, having signed only a one-year deal, so motivation will be high.

We aren't worried about Baker Mayfield and the offense, but can the defense stiffen up with Reddick, Kancey, and Vea all getting after the quarterback to help protect the secondary? That will be the hope.

And if the Reddick who terrorized the NFL from 2020 through to 2023 suits up for the Buccaneers, he might just be the best free-agent addition of the offseason.

Yes, that's a high bar, but make no mistake, the talent is there, and Bowles and his coaching staff will make sure Haason goes quarterback-hunting in 2025.