Jalen Hurts, the former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback who now stars for the Philadelphia Eagles, has a big fan in Eagles outside linebacker Haason Reddick.
“Jalen, I believe, is one of the best QBs in the league – and he chooses that day in and day out at work,” Reddick told Heavy Sports in an interview set up through his partnership with Campbell’s Chunky soup.
Reddick, who is entering his second year with the Eagles, suggested that practicing against an agile dual-threat quarterback like Hurts has made him a better linebacker. In 2022, he got a second-team All-Pro nod and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
“With the plays that he makes and the way he uses his feet and move around, I’m extremely happy that I get to go against a guy like him because when I go against mobile quarterbacks, I know what to expect,” Reddick said. “I know how to approach, and I know what I need to do technique-wise, so that way I can help my team the best way I need to.”
Hurts has proved to be a tough containment assignment for edge rushers on designed runs and for skill defenders who plan for Hurts to run only to see him pull back and unleash the deep ball.
Haason Reddick Wants to “Be a Decorated Player”
Reddick, who turns 29 on September 22, snatched a career-high 16 sacks for the NFC champs last year, and he also forced a league-high five fumbles. A first-round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2017, Reddick has said this summer that he wants to take his game to an even higher level this season.
“Last year was a great year but it’s a new year and I’m trying to do it all over again and the only thing I’m worried about is being better than last year,” Reddick told reporters on August 1, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Reddick is on the second year of a three-year, $45 million contract, but the Eagles do have an out after this season. Given his on-field production, there has been talk of Reddick being underpaid. However, excelling at football is about more than making money, he said.
“Some people are playing for a paycheck. Me? I come out here every day and I go hard and I work,” he said, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Why? Because I want to be great. I want to be in the Hall of Fame. I want to be a decorated player.”
Haason Reddick & Campbell’s Chunky Sacks Hunger Initiative
Again, the NFC champ is joining Campbell’s in circumventing hunger across America.
“Campbell’s and myself have partnered to try to tackle the food insecurity across the nation with the Chunky Sacks Hunger initiative,” Reddick told Heavy Sports.
He followed with the financial goal both parties have set.
“Our goal is to give $2 million for meals across the nation. So for every Chunky bowl that is purchased during the season, we will be donating a meal to those in need,” Reddick said.
For Reddick, teaming with Campbell’s hit home for him — because Campbell’s headquarters was near his home.
“Teaming up with Chunky is a full-circle moment, as I grew up right down the street from Campbell’s Camden [New Jersey] headquarters,” Reddick said in a news release. “I’m honored to work with Chunky Sacks Hunger and inspire fans to join the fight against food insecurity.”
More information on the initiative can be found here.
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All-Pro OLB Embraces Facing Ex-Alabama QB Jalen Hurts: ‘Extremely Happy’