How much will the Carolina Panthers miss Haason Reddick?

With Haason Reddick agreeing on a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, just how much will the Carolina Panthers miss the stud outside linebacker in 2022?

If the Carolina Panthers wanted a chance to re-sign Haason Reddick in free agency, they didn’t have much of one as their attentions clearly steered elsewhere thanks to a hastily arranged meeting with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. The outside linebacker enjoyed a superb 2021 season – his one and only as part of the team – securing 11 sacks and doing enough to convince the Philadelphia Eagles to give him a payday he is richly deserving of.

According to multiple reports, Reddick penned a three-year, $45 million deal with the Eagles that also comes with $30 million in full guarantees and a maximum value of $49.5 million. Not bad value at all for a player that is among the league’s most dominant sack getters over the last two seasons.

It was always going to be difficult for the Panthers to keep Reddick once they decide to let him test the market. Consistent edge rushers are always highly sought-after in free agency and it didn’t take long for Philadephia to make their move once the legal tampering period officially got underway.

Although most fans were resigned to the fact Reddick would depart, this is still a significant loss to a defense that made some encouraging strides during the previous campaign. The Temple product was a ferocious force flying off the edge and also performed much better against the run than many would have you believe.

Carolina Panthers could regret not re-signing Haason Reddick

Premium pass-rushers don’t grow on trees. Even though the Panthers have high hopes for Yetur Gross-Matos to take a giant leap entering his third season, expecting him to attain double-digit sacks could be asking too much.

There is also the small matter of Brian Burns to consider. The defensive end might be part of a trade package that gets Watson to Carolina, which would take away 20 sacks from Phil Snow’s unit.

Watson is elite. But that is a lot to replace in such a short space of time and with little financial resources to make the necessary moves.

Reddick’s outstanding production will be immensely hard to replicate. A true edge defender that brought an energy and intensity that was sorely lacking before his arrival.

It’s been a relatively quiet start to free agency for Carolina. Not entirely unexpected due to their pursuit of Watson, which absolutely has to come off all things considered.

As for Reddick, he’ll get the chance to help the Eagles wrestle the NFC East crown from the Dallas Cowboys on a contract that is much more befitting for a player of his caliber. One cannot feel a sense of sadness that he won’t be in Carolina any longer, but this was clearly a necessary evil as the Panthers made their bold move to finally land a franchise quarterback and a legitimate successor to Cam Newton.

No Panthers fan will wish Reddick anything but the best. He clearly loved playing here and is going to go on to great things entering his prime years.

What Carolina does to replace such a dynamic and consistent producer on the field is the big question.