Mike Vrabel stressed after the blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers the New England Patriots defense needs to cause more turnovers. To do that, the unit likely needs additional pressure on the quarterback.
While the NFL trade deadline passed without the Patriots making a move signals the team expects that to come mostly from their current roster, free agency is another potential avenue. On Thursday, Bleacher Report’s Moe Morton suggested an intriguing free agency fit — Haason Reddick.
On his list of top 10 bargain free agents after the 2026 NFL trade deadline, Morton named the Patriots and Carolina Panthers his “best fits” for Reddick.
“In a designated pass-rushing role, Reddick should be able to make an impact,” wrote Morton. “He could be a solid fit for the Carolina Panthers, who have generated the second-lowest pressure rate at 16.5 percent, or the New England Patriots, who rank 24th in pressure rate at 16.7 percent.”
Reddick is a 2-time Pro Bowler and former second-team All-Pro edge rusher from his brief tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. Those two Pro Bowl campaigns came during back-to-back years with the Eagles in 2022 and 2023.
Reddick, though, has also experienced strong campaigns with the Arizona Cardinals and Panthers during his career. Most recently, he played 13 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. Reddick registered six tackles for loss, six quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks.
Could Patriots Target Haason Reddick on Free Agent Market?
The Patriots have generated a pretty solid pass rusher from their interior defensive line. But they could use more along the edge.
That’s where Reddick would come in. From 2020-23, he was one of the more dominant edge rushers in the league, averaging 12.5 sacks per season during that time.
In 2022, Reddick had a career-high 16 sacks. He also registered a league-high five forced fumbles with 11 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hits and three pass defenses as well.
The Patriots could use more of those game-changing plays. Reddick might be able to provide additional depth for the Patriots edge rusher room. Elijah Ponder leads the Patriots with 7.5 sacks. Rookie Gabe Jacas is second among the team’s edge rushers with three sacks.
Free agent signing Dre’Mont Jones has just 1.5 sacks. One of the team’s top edge rushers from the AFC championship roster last year, Harold Landry III, is still on the PUP list.
Will Patriots Take Chance on Reddick?
If New England could get the 2022 version of Reddick, there would absolutely be no debate about adding the edge rusher.
But since he ended his run of double-digit sack seasons, Reddick’s production has fallen off a cliff.
In 2024, he had just one sack with two tackles for loss. Over the past 23 contests, he has registered 3.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and six quarterback hits. That production over two seasons doesn’t match what Reddick did in 2023 alone.
That decline could be why no NFL team has given Reddick a shot this season. While the Patriots could finally do that, the veteran is a long shot to get back to his All-Pro level of play.
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