There’s always a gamble when signing a player coming off a down year. But for Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers, this is a calculated risk — one backed by knowledge, trust, and belief in a player’s proven talent
If Haason Reddick does indeed “turn back the clock,” Tampa Bay’s defense will be better for it, and the team may find itself back in playoff contention once again.
With training camp on the horizon and excitement building, all eyes will be on No. 7 this fall — and his journey back to dominance.
It remains to be seen how well Reddick will fit into Bowles’ defensive system long term, but early signs are promising. He brings exactly what Tampa Bay has lacked: elite speed off the edge, consistent production, and a veteran mindset.
As Bowles put it: “Hopefully it won’t be as much [pressure] as last year because we had to instead of how we want to.” That statement underscores the strategic shift underway in Tampa.
With Reddick in place, Bowles can run the kind of defense he envisions—not one forced by necessity, but one built on strength, balance, and efficiency.
If Reddick lives up to expectations, his impact could be felt not just on the stat sheet, but in the win column.
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Todd Bowles Bets Big on Haason Reddick
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers inked veteran pass rusher Haason Reddick to a one-year, $14 million deal, it wasn’t just a roster move — it was a declaration of intent.1
With head coach Todd Bowles publicly voicing his belief in Reddick’s ability to bounce back, the Buccaneers are banking on a resurgence that could significantly impact their 2025 campaign.
After a disappointing 2024 season with the New York Jets, where Reddick’s performance failed to meet expectations due to a prolonged holdout and late start, many questioned whether his best days were behind him.
However, Bowles and the Buccaneers believe a change of scenery and a reset in mindset could be exactly what the two-time Pro Bowler needs.
Bowles was quick to note that last season should be considered a “wash” for Reddick, implying that the circumstances surrounding his play were not representative of his true ability. Now, with a full offseason to prepare and a defense that fits his strengths, Reddick may be poised for a major bounce back.
Reddick’s Resume: A Closer Look
It’s not hard to see why Bowles is so optimistic. Haason Reddick, a former first-round pick in 2017, has proven himself as a high-level NFL pass rusher.
Between 2020 and 2023, Reddick racked up 11 or more sacks in four straight seasons — a level of consistency that very few edge rushers in the league have matched.
His career-best season came in 2022, where he notched 16.0 sacks and earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod.
That year, he also tied for the NFL lead in forced fumbles with five, showcasing his ability not only to reach the quarterback but to make game-changing plays.
Todd Bowles’ Familiarity and Trust
One major factor in Reddick’s signing is Todd Bowles’ familiarity with him as a player.2
Having previously observed his growth and understanding his strengths, Bowles — along with linebackers coach Larry Foote — made a compelling case to bring the veteran to Tampa.
Bowles spoke highly of the discussions between him and Foote about Reddick’s potential fit. “I knew him as a player,” Bowles said.
“Foote had a lot to do with him, and we talked about it quite a bit.” That level of insider insight bodes well for Reddick’s integration into the Buccaneers’ defensive scheme.
A Much-Needed Boost to the Pass Rush
The Buccaneers are in a transitional period defensively. After moving on from some veterans and watching younger players develop, there remained a glaring need for an experienced, proven edge presence. Reddick fills that void perfectly.
Tampa Bay’s pass rush ranked in the bottom half of the league in total sacks last season. Adding someone with Reddick’s explosiveness and instincts off the edge could shift the tide, especially if he returns to form.
His ability to bend around tackles, use leverage, and close in a hurry makes him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Redemption and Motivation
For Reddick, this one-year deal is more than just a paycheck — it’s a chance at redemption. A short-term contract with a contending team offers a perfect platform for him to prove the doubters wrong and secure a longer-term deal in the future.
Athletes often thrive when they feel underestimated, and Reddick has made a career out of proving skeptics wrong.
From being misused early in his career with the Arizona Cardinals to becoming a top-tier pass rusher, Reddick has embraced the grind. That chip on his shoulder could serve the Buccaneers well in 2025.
Veteran Leadership for a Young Core
While Reddick’s pass-rushing ability is undoubtedly his greatest asset, his veteran leadership will also be invaluable in Tampa Bay.
With young defenders like Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and YaYa Diaby still developing, Reddick can play a mentor role — showing them how to prepare, work, and execute at a Pro Bowl level.
Having someone in the locker room who has seen the highs and lows of the NFL and who has fought through adversity could be just as important off the field as it is on Sundays.
Todd Bowles: Fit in Bowles’ Defensive Scheme
Bowles is one of the most respected defensive minds in the NFL. His system is complex but also dynamic — built on aggressiveness, flexibility, and creating pressure in creative ways.3
Reddick’s versatility fits that mold perfectly.
He can line up as a traditional edge rusher in a four-man front, play as a stand-up linebacker, or even drop into coverage in zone blitz packages.
That flexibility allows Bowles to scheme around Reddick’s strengths, ensuring he’s constantly in position to make impactful plays.
Numbers Don’t Lie
Statistically, Reddick remains among the NFL’s elite when it comes to pressuring quarterbacks. His career numbers — 59.0 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, and 424 total tackles — underscore just how disruptive he’s been over the years.
Even last season, despite the dip in sack totals, Reddick still generated pressures at a decent rate. With more consistency, playing time, and trust from the coaching staff, those pressures could easily turn back into sacks in 2025.
What Success Looks Like in 2025
For the Buccaneers and Reddick, success in 2025 isn’t just about sack numbers. It’s about impact.
Pressuring opposing QBs into mistakes, making clutch plays on third downs, and leading by example are all metrics by which this signing will be judged.
If Reddick can return to Pro Bowl form and anchor the defense alongside Tampa Bay’s core veterans, the Bucs will have struck gold with their one-year investment.
The deal also gives them financial flexibility, with the option to pursue a longer-term extension should the fit prove perfect.
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Todd Bowles Explains What Haason Reddick Brings to the Buccaneers
Following a disappointing Wild Card loss to the Washington Commanders, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2024 offseason with a clear objective—reshape the defense and find consistent pass rushers.
One of the first steps in achieving that goal came with the addition of veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick.
Head coach Todd Bowles is confident that Reddick will be instrumental in improving the Bucs’ defensive front and returning them to playoff contention.
Haason Reddick comes to Tampa Bay with a well-established reputation as one of the league’s most productive pass rushers.
With double-digit sack seasons for three different teams—the Cardinals, Panthers, and Eagles—Reddick has demonstrated that he can thrive in a variety of defensive systems. In 2023 with the Eagles, Reddick notched 11 sacks, showing no signs of slowing down.
From New York Nightmare to Florida Rebirth
Reddick’s brief stint in New York is best described as forgettable. The holdout delayed his integration into the Jets’ defense, and when he did hit the field, he never seemed fully comfortable.
The result was a season well below his standards, leading to speculation about whether he had lost a step.
But that chapter is now closed, and the Buccaneers are offering him a chance to write a new one. With the full support of the coaching staff and a defense tailored to his skillset, the Florida sun may shine brighter on Reddick’s rebirth.
The NFC South remains one of the NFL’s more unpredictable divisions. With the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers all in various stages of retooling or rebuilding, the Buccaneers have a legitimate shot at seizing control — especially if their defense can take a leap.
Reddick, if productive, could be the missing puzzle piece. Pairing his pass rush with a strong interior presence from Vita Vea, along with veteran linebacker Lavonte David and a promising secondary, gives Tampa Bay a unit capable of making noise come playoff time.
Reddick’s speed, agility, and relentless motor have made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. His ability to consistently beat offensive tackles off the edge is exactly what Bowles has been seeking. For a team that struggled to create pressure with four rushers last season, Reddick’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time.
Todd Bowles’ Philosophy: Pressure with Four
One of the key takeaways from Todd Bowles’ comments was his desire to return to a more balanced defensive approach.
In 2023, the Buccaneers were often forced to blitz heavily to generate pressure, which exposed their secondary to big plays. That’s something Bowles is determined to avoid in 2024.
“He can rush the passer,” Bowles said of Reddick. “So if we got guys that can rush the passer, we let them rush the passer… we need to rush better with four.”
This is a philosophical shift that has big implications. With a front four capable of winning one-on-one matchups, the Buccaneers can afford to drop more defenders into coverage, reduce blitz frequency, and force offenses into making mistakes.
That balance is something the Bucs lacked last year, and Reddick is seen as a major piece of the puzzle to fixing that.
Reddick’s Role in the Front Four
Reddick won’t be a one-man show on the Bucs’ defensive line. He joins a promising group of young talent that includes Logan Hall, Yaya Diaby, and Calijah Kancey.
Each of these players brings a different skill set to the table, and together, they could form a potent pass-rushing unit.
Logan Hall, a second-round pick in 2022, is expected to take a leap forward in his development. Kancey, drafted in 2023, showed flashes of elite interior disruption as a rookie.
Diaby, with his size and strength, can be a versatile edge player who sets the tone in the run game and contributes in pass-rushing situations.
Add Reddick to that mix, and the Buccaneers have a balanced and dangerous front four that can rush from multiple angles and create chaos in the backfield.
Complementing the Secondary
Improving the pass rush has a ripple effect across the entire defense, especially in the secondary. With more consistent pressure up front, the Buccaneers’ defensive backs will have an easier job covering receivers.
Quarterbacks will have less time to throw, which reduces the chances of blown coverages or big gains.
In 2023, the Bucs’ defensive backs were often left vulnerable due to the reliance on blitzing. That aggressive approach may have led to some big plays, but it also left the secondary exposed.
Bowles is hoping that with Reddick and a stronger front four, the team can play more sound coverage and tighten up against the pass.
Reddick’s Leadership and Experience
Beyond his physical talents, Reddick brings leadership and experience to a young defense. Having played in high-stakes playoff games, including a Super Bowl, Reddick knows what it takes to perform under pressure.
His veteran presence could be especially valuable for young pass rushers like Diaby and Kancey, who are still developing their technique and understanding of the game.
Reddick has also shown versatility throughout his career. He’s played in 3-4 and 4-3 defenses, lined up both as a traditional edge rusher and in more hybrid roles.
This flexibility gives Bowles more options in how he deploys him—whether as a stand-up rusher, a defensive end in a sub package, or even as a player who can occasionally drop into coverage.
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