The Chicago Bears defense, which made its regular season debut against the Tennessee Titans, looked fantastic. However, if injuries continue to be a problem for an offense that is not clicking, the defense may need to perform at that level every week.
In that regard, Chicago continues to be a primary destination for edge rusher Haason Reddick, who is holding out for the New York Jets in the event that a long-term contract extension is not reached before he plays — or, more accurately, is not really playing — on a three-year, $45 million deal.
On Wednesday, September 11, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN claimed that it is now likely that the Jets will trade for Reddick before the deadline for trades on November 5.
“It seems like they have two options: try to trade him closer to the trade deadline, or keep him on the reserve list until he reports,” Fowler wrote. “Several league executives say that the latter is looking more likely.”
In trade negotiations for pass rusher Matthew Judon, who finally signed a third-round selection contract with the Atlanta Falcons, the Bears and the New England Patriots went all the way to the wire. Since then, Chicago has acquired Darrell Taylor through a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Working opposite Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat against the Titans, Taylor recorded eight tackles and two sacks. That performance is really encouraging and gives the impression that Chicago has already won big from the move.
Notwithstanding, Taylor’s contract is only good for this year before he enters unrestricted free agency in March of next year. Pass rushers are a valuable position in the NFL. Therefore, the Bears may be keen to seize this opportunity if they can locate a fair trade price for Reddick; executives informed Fowler that the player appears to have worth.
Trade Value of Haason Reddick Declining While Jets Holdout Persists
This summer, New York acquired Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a conditional third-round pick that, in the right situation, might be selected in the second round. The organization presumably did this with the intention of signing the outside linebacker to a long-term contract, but that hasn’t transpired.
In addition to saying that it is now far less probable that the Jets will give in to Reddick’s demands after his holdout, the executive informed Fowler on Wednesday that the two-time Pro Bowler’s trade value has decreased below what New York had to give up in order to get him.
Regarding the Jets’ current need to move Reddick, an NFC official told Fowler, “I’m not sure they have a choice.” “A third-round pick wouldn’t bring them as much value as they would now, but it would be difficult for the Jets to pay him given his obvious disinterest in staying.” The incident was grossly mishandled by both parties.
Bears Can Sign Haason Reddick and Trade for Montez Sweat Playbook
Maybe because they didn’t want to pay Judon in the long run, the Bears declined to outbid the Falcons’ third-round offer. Nevertheless, Judon is two years older than Reddick and missed 13 games due to a biceps tear the previous season.
In contrast, Reddick has only missed one game in his professional career and has recorded 11–16 sacks in each of the preceding four seasons.
Chicago’s edge rushing dilemma will be resolved for years to come if they can acquire Reddick for the final two-thirds, if not the full 2024 season, for the equivalent of a late Day 2 or early Day 3 draft pick and then extend him.
Before last year’s trade deadline, the Bears sent Sweat to the Washington Commanders for a second-round pick, and shortly after, they signed him to a four-year contract extension. It makes sense that general manager Ryan Poles would use the same strategy to sign Reddick if the chance arises.
