Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick speaks to the media on the Footprint Heart in downtown Phoenix in the course of the NFL’s Tremendous Bowl opening evening on Feb. 6, 2023. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Nfl Tremendous Bowl Opening Evening At Footprint Heart. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.
After June 1st, when the Minnesota Vikings’ wage cap freed up only a bit, some onlookers determined the membership might use one other cross rusher for the 2026 marketing campaign, particularly as a result of Jonathan Greenard left in April by way of commerce to the Philadelphia Eagles. And based on ESPN, that man needs to be exterior linebacker Haason Reddick — a former Eagle.
Reddick is obtainable on the open market, and Minnesota has about $13 million, so ESPN stated why not this week.
Vikings’ Roster Has Room for One Extra EDGE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Haason Reddick speaks with reporters following a coaching camp follow at AdventHealth Coaching Heart. The veteran defender addressed the media on Aug. 1, 2025, in Tampa as he mentioned his adjustment to the Buccaneers and ready for the upcoming common season together with his new membership. Obligatory Credit score: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photos
ESPN: Vikings Ought to Signal Reddick
Aaron Schatz of ESPN revealed one roster transfer every staff ought to discover this week, and Reddick to Minnesota was included.
“Another NFC North team, another questionable depth chart on the edge. The issue here is not Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel but rather the players behind them, led by 2025 fifth-round pick Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and 2024 undrafted free agent Bo Richter,” Schatz wrote.
“Reddick had only 2.5 sacks last season, the lowest of the three best available veteran pass rushers, but his 12% pass rush win rate was still impressive: similar to the Chargers’ Tuli Tuipulotu and just ahead of the Steelers’ T.J. Watt.”
It’s price noting that Reddick was a teammate of Kyler Murray, the Vikings’ major offseason addition, in 2019 and 2020 when Murray’s profession obtained off the bottom.
Schatz added, “Reddick’s history of playing in flexible 3-4 defenses makes him the best fit for defensive coordinator Brian Flores because he has more experience dropping into coverage on complicated zone blitzes.”
Reddick’s Background
Reddick has basically had two distinct NFL careers. Initially, because the thirteenth general choose, he struggled to search out his footing in Arizona. Nonetheless, he later reworked into one of many league’s most formidable cross rushers.
New York Jets linebacker Haason Reddick sits courtside throughout an NBA recreation between the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings at Madison Sq. Backyard. The looks occurred on April 4, 2024, in New York as Reddick attended the late-season matchup in the course of the NFL offseason. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports activities
His profession statistics spotlight this evolution: 137 video games, 95 begins, 455 tackles, 77 tackles for loss, 108 QB hits, 61.5 sacks, 21 deflected passes, 18 pressured fumbles, and 5 fumble recoveries. His peak efficiency years have been simply improbable — no exaggeration. Between 2020 and 2023, Reddick recorded 12.5, 11.0, 16.0, and 11.0 sacks, earned two Professional Bowl choices, and was named 2nd-Staff All-Professional in 2022.
The 2022 Eagles season was significantly noteworthy: 49 tackles, 16 sacks, 26 QB hits, and 5 pressured fumbles, putting him firmly in rivalry for Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
Extra just lately, his efficiency has declined. His 2024 tenure with the Jets was temporary and unproductive, and in 2025 with Tampa Bay, he managed solely 2.5 sacks in 13 video games. Whereas Professional Soccer Focus nonetheless rated his cross rush as respectable, his run protection and tackling grades have been considerably decrease.
That raises the query: does Reddick have yet one more 12 months as a premier pass-rushing specialist? His previous achievements counsel sure, however his current output warrants warning. Fortunately, Minnesota would actually solely want him for a 12 months or two in a “just in case” capability.
The OLB Scenario with Reddick and Worth
Let’s faux for a second that ESPN nailed this factor, and Minnesota indicators Reddick.
The 2026 EDGE room would seem like this:
OLB1: Andrew Van GinkelOLB2: Dallas TurnerOLB3: Haason ReddickOLB4: Bo RichterOLB5: Tyler BattyOLB6: Chaz ChamblissOLB7: Cam’Ron StewartOLB8: Arden Walker
Reddick — or any credible cross rusher — would match fantastically between Turner and Richter. That’s simply how the lay of the land works with Greenard enjoying for the Eagles.
Consider it this fashion: whereas the Vikings is perhaps simply advantageous with the group as-is, if Van Ginkel or Turner miss time resulting from damage, then the nervousness spikes. With Reddick, that drama can be lessened as he has ample expertise as a starter.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick celebrates after a defensive cease in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers throughout first-quarter motion at Lincoln Monetary Discipline. The play unfolded on Dec. 3, 2023, in Philadelphia as Reddick helped anchor the Eagles protection throughout a marquee NFC matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Invoice Streicher-USA TODAY Sports activities
Minnesota ought to pursue one other EDGE rusher if solely to hedge the guess in opposition to damage. In any other case, the membership might discover deploying rookie off-ball linebacker Jake Golday in a hybrid capability.
If the selection is Reddick, he needs to be gettable for one 12 months and round $5 million.
The Different Choices
Must you, the Vikings fan, be frightened concerning the OLB state of affairs? Completely not. Why? Properly, a handful of gamers are prepared and ready to signal with a staff and fill an OLB3 position. All of the choices are “old” by NFL requirements, however these free brokers would work in Flores’s system as OLB insurance coverage:
Derek Barnett
Joey Bosa
Jadeveon Clowney
Marcus Davenport
Leonard Floyd
Von Miller
Preston Smith
Za’Darius Smith
Kyle Van Noy
Until the Vikings are completely content material with the present setup — that means Richter, Batty, or Golday are craving for a splash — including a free-agent exterior linebacker is an efficient drawback to have in the summertime of 2026. Any man from the record above, together with Reddick, would do the trick.
Reddick will flip 32 in September.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
