The Philadelphia Eagles and the rest of the NFL have come out of the gates swinging as the legal tampering period for free agency began at noon ET on Monday. After re-signing Zack Baun to a lucrative contract last week, the Eagles will have several decisions to make on top free agents Mekhi Becton, Josh Sweat and Milton Williams.
If any of those players leave, the Eagles will have to find someone to replace them. It’s highly expected that Sweat and Williams will find new teams within the next couple of days and a reunion candidate to fill their roles with a former Eagle went up in smoke in the opening minutes of the tampering period.
Former Eagles Pass Rusher Haason Reddick Signs With Buccaneers
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Haason Reddick has agreed to terms on a one-year, $14 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The contract contains $12 million guaranteed and gives Tampa Bay an edge rusher to replace Anthony Nelson, who is set to test free agency.
The Eagles are expected to move on from Sweat and Williams in free agency and Philadelphia is prepared for those moves with Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt set to step into larger roles. But the Eagles could have used some depth behind them, and a reunion with Reddick made sense.
After starting his career with the Arizona Cardinals, Reddick joined the Eagles in 2021 and recorded back-to-back seasons with double-digit sacks, including a career-high 16 in 2022. But Reddick wanted to cash in after registering 11 sacks in 2023 and Philadelphia decided to trade him to the New York Jets.
Reddick’s time with the Jets was cut short due to a similar contract stalemate and he wasn’t himself in the final 10 games of the season, making 14 tackles including two for loss and a sack.
While it seemed like the Eagles could swoop in and grab Reddick as a discounted depth piece, that wasn’t the case as the Buccaneers stepped up with an offer. But at age 31, it might benefit Philadelphia to fill that role with a younger player or a cheaper option who could step in behind Ojomo and Hunt.
It’s an intriguing first step of free agency with a Philadelphia connect. But it shouldn’t stop their pursuit of free agents in the coming days.