The New York Jets made a splash recently by trading for former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick.
Eagles have traded Haason Reddick to the Jets, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/0RA1MrRG5X
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) March 29, 2024
The move looks like it could fortify an already solid Jets defense, earning praise from some folks around the league. One of those who have lauded the addition is franchise legend Joe Klecko.
“He’s a player-and-a-half,” Klecko told ESPN. “I don’t care how good they were on defense last year; it wasn’t good enough. Reddick makes them a much better football team. The opposite of a great quarterback is having great guys to put the quarterback down. That’s how the NFL works. This is a big deal. I love it.”
Last season, the Jets ranked 12th in points allowed per game while placing third in yards allowed per game. There were concerns, though, about how the defense would look in the 2024 campaign after the organization lost linebacker Bryce Huff in free agency. The undrafted gem out of the University of Memphis signed with, incidentally, Philadelphia.
The Jets and Eagles essentially traded edge rushers, although the former had to give up a draft pick to acquire Reddick.
That could prove to be worth it, especially if the former first-round pick can maintain his elite production on defense. In the past two seasons, Reddick led the league with 12.5 sacks in the fourth quarter. Moreover, he has amassed 50.5 sacks, eight passes defended and 13 forced fumbles in the past four campaigns.
In addition, the two-time Pro Bowler has shown to be durable, having missed just one game in his seven years in the NFL. On the other hand, Huff appeared in just nine games in the 2021 season because of a back injury.
Only time will tell how much impact Reddick will have on the Jets. Klecko, who earned two first-team All-Pro selections and led the league in sacks once during his stint with the Jets, appears optimistic of the New Jersey native’s fit in New York.
The fact that they both attended Temple University probably has Klecko even more excited about Reddick’s arrival.
Still, the Jets might have some more roster moves up their sleeve. While improving their defense is certainly a welcome sight for fans, they have to continue looking for ways to strengthen their offense, more so since the team ranked near the bottom in points and yards per game.
It remains to be seen if it can finally book a trip to the postseason for the first time since 2011 and break the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.
