J.J. Watt signing improves Panthers’ Haason Reddick chances
By Dean Jones
J.J. Watt announcing a bombshell move to the Arizona Cardinals could improve the Carolina Panthers’ chances of acquiring Haason Reddick in free agency.
Defensive end J.J. Watt dropped a bombshell when the future Pro Football Hall of Famer announced he was joining the Arizona Cardinals. This sent shockwaves across the league and gives them a formidable pass-rushing tandem with Chandler Jones on the other side of the field.
But the move could potentially give the Carolina Panthers a window of opportunity in free agency.
The ties between Panthers head coach Matt Rhule and Haason Reddick are there for all to see. The outside linebacker played for the respected figure during his time in college at Temple and considering the season he just put together with the Cardinals, it would be a tremendous addition to an improving defense that came on leaps and bounds during the second half of the campaign.
Reddick’s stock has never been higher. He is coming off a career season in Arizona and is sure to be a hot commodity on the free-agent market if the Cardinals let things get that far later this month.
However, the prospect of working once again with Rhule might put the Panthers in the driving seat to secure his services if there is a mutual interest between both parties.
Carolina Panthers and Haason Reddick would be a good match.
It’s hard to look at Reddick’s production and not think he’d be a massive help. Carolina got next to no pressure from their outside linebackers in 2020, so adding the edge rusher would be another useful asset to call upon with more growth expected from the defensive end duo of Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos next time around.
Arizona has indicated they’d like to keep Reddick. But considering what the Cardinals just gave Watt and the financial commitment already shelled out on Jones, it is hard to justify another lofty salary for someone who can get in the backfield consistently in the current climate.
The Panthers were ruthless in cutting a series of established veterans to acquire a substantial amount of extra funds to spend once the free-agent frenzy begins. Nobody will know more about what Reddick could bring on and off the field than Rhule, who was highly complimentary of the player before the 2017 NFL Draft, where he eventually went No. 13 overall.
"“I love Haason. He’s everything that’s right with college football. He’s tough, he’s hard-nosed. He got his degree and played so hard for us and so well for us and helped us turn this program around.”"
The addition of Watt is a big deal for the Cardinals, providing there is still some magic left after leaving the Houston Texans. This could also work in favor of Carolina if they eventually get Reddick to the organization as a direct result.
Much will depend on what sort of money the player wants and whether the Panthers identify Reddick as someone who could make an impact in Phil Snow’s scheme in the same fashion that he achieved at the college level.
It’s hard to see how Reddick wouldn’t thrive with familiar coaching staff. But there promises to be a wealth of options available during what is sure to be a wild few weeks ahead thanks to the dreaded COVID-19 cap cut.