To kick off free agency, the Buccaneers began making moves. On Friday, the Bucs signed two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Haason Reddick.
Reddick has appeared in 124 career games between the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets, making 83 starts and compiling 419 tackles (71 for loss), 102 quarterback hits, 59.0 sacks (14 strip sacks), 20 passes defensed, 18 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries throughout his NFL tenure.
Dating back to the 2020 season, Reddick has posted four seasons with double-digit sacks, tied for the second-most in the NFL, trailing only Myles Garrett (five). Reddick's 51.5 sacks across the past five seasons are the sixth-most in the NFL over that span, trailing only T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson, Nick Bosa and Micah Parsons. Reddick has recorded 15 forced fumbles since 2020 – the second-most in the NFL– including a league-leading 14 strip sacks across that time. His most notable season came in 2022 with the Eagles, in which he received Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro recognition after he established career highs in quarterback hits (26), sacks (16.0), forced fumbles (five) and fumble recoveries (three). Now, the pass-rush specialist will join Todd Bowles' defense in Tampa Bay. Reddick reunites with Bucs' Run Game Coordinator and Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote, who previously served as Reddick's linebackers coach when he began his career in Arizona (2017).
Reddick has become one of the NFL's most lethal pass rushers with an impactful combination of burst and bend around the arc. The hybrid inside linebacker-turned edge works to punch the ball out of the quarterback's hands. He attacks the throwing arm of the quarterback and explodes off the ball. The quick-twitch athlete overwhelms when looping inside on stunts with rare range and possesses elite change-of-direction and fluid movement skills in space. Reddick makes his presence felt and will add another dimension to the Bucs' defensive line whether working inside on twists or dropping in coverage. Bowles likes to move defenders around to create advantageous matchups and Reddick will help ignite the Bucs' pass rush. He has the well-rounded skillset to fake an outside move then win inside with leverage making him effective on two-way go's. Offensive tackles around the league have to respect his speed and Reddick will aim to wreak havoc in red and pewter.
"I wanted to be around a great group of men and thought there was no better place than here," said Reddick. "Looking to get here and blend well with the guys and get things rolling."
