Should the Bears go after Haason Reddick? |
In case you missed either of the Bears' first two preseason games, things have gotten off to about as good a start as the Bears have opened the 2024 Preseason with a 2-0 mark. While the wins may not matter, the way they play does, as the offense looks as explosive as the fans could've hoped for while their defense continues to make strides.
One of the things that has taken center stage regarding the defense has been the team's pass rush, which they failed to address this offseason. Apart from Montez Sweat, finding a consistent pass rush for the Bears was a concern, and many felt that if they didn't address that soon, it would come back to haunt them. Perhaps not addressing it as soon as most would've liked has benefitted this team, as rookie edge rusher Austin Booker has turned a lot of heads this summer and could prove to be a massive steal when all is said and done. His emergence alone could help solve some of the pass-rushing woes, but if the Bears are really in it to win it, they still could use more help. Picking up Yannick Ngakoue as a free agent remains a distinct possibility, especially considering his connection with the coaching staff last season. However, given the injury he is coming off, no one knows what they will get out of Ngakoue, which could be why he is still sitting on the open market. Plan B for the Bears could be addressing the pass rush during the season via the trade market, and a new name has emerged over the past 72 hours, bringing a ton of intrigue. New York Jets Edge rusher Haason Reddick has officially requested a trade from the Jets after his contract situation wasn't resolved, and he is now potentially available. While the Jets have made it clear they have no intention of trading Reddick, this is a toxic situation brewing in New York, and the longer this remains unresolved, the worse things will get. That is where the Bears could come into play. They have the pieces, assets, and money to make a trade for Reddick, who will most likely require a new deal if he is dealt. You saw the Bears trade for Sweat last season and immediately sign him to an extension, which paid dividends for this team. There could be some Deja Vu regarding Reddick and how the Bears could handle his situation should he ultimately get to a point where he will be traded. The long-time veteran is entering his age 29 season and is still in his prime for at least a few more seasons. Reddick broke onto the scene as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles as the former Temple University standout racked up 27 sacks the past two seasons with the Eagles, including 16 sacks in 2022 and 11 sacks last season. Prior to that, Reddick spent time with Arizona and Carolina, where he posted 31 sacks over a five-year stretch, including 12.5 sacks during his final season with Arizona and an additional 11 sacks with Carolina during the 2021 season. Redick was eventually traded to the Jets this offseason and was expected to make a massive impact on their defense until his contract situation went south. Here we are a few months later, and the Jets are in a tough spot regarding Reddick and his future. They control his rights through this season, while Reddick has no intention of playing for them long-term. Given the situation and what it would potentially take to get a deal done, some are wondering if Reddick would even be a fit for the Bears. When you break things down a bit, the Bears still need some consistent pass-rushing help along with Sweat. Given the production Reddick has shown, he gives the Bears exactly what they are looking for. He was a menace on defense for the Eagles the past two seasons and was one of the driving forces for the defense that sent them to the Superbowl two seasons ago. Pair that with his veteran leadership and experience, and Reddick seems like a perfect fit for this young and upcoming defense. Then comes the price tag with a move like this, which is where a lot of people have some concerns. Considering the Jets sent a third-rounder to Philadelphia to acquire Reddick, you can expect them to ask for at least a third-rounder in return for any trade package they put together. That would seem like a bargain when you look at his production, but considering the Bears would have to try and extend him, is it a risk worth taking should he choose not to sign here long-term? From a financial side, you can expect a deal close to what Sweat is getting, which the Bears have the funds to take on. It may not be the smartest thing to pay that much money to a pair of edge rushers, but if anyone can afford it, the Bears can. The biggest piece to this whole puzzle is that even though Reddick has requested a trade, he still needs to be available. The Jets front office has clarified that they are not trading him, and I fully expect that to be the case for now. However, should we get six weeks into the season and this situation still isn't resolved, the Jets may not have a choice, as they would be losing him in free agency for nothing if they don't trade him. Chicago, along with the rest of the NFL, knows this, so don't expect anyone to come forward with a massive offer at this point. This is one of those situations where patience could be a virtue, so look for the Bears to monitor this situation and make a move when they feel the time is right.
