The New York Jets are enduring one of their most dismal seasons, and a key factor behind their struggles stems from an offseason trade for veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick.
Initially anticipated to be a transformative addition, Reddick has failed to meet expectations, earning criticism as part of what ESPN’s Rich Cimini dubbed “one of the worst trades in team history.”
As per Next Gen Stats, Reddick is the only edge rusher in the league with over 175 pass rushes but no full sack, a distinction among 90 qualified players. Since joining the Jets, Reddick has played 56% of defensive snaps across eight games but has recorded just half a sack and two quarterback hits. His pass rush grade of 53.0 ranks 172nd out of 206 edge players, per Pro Football Focus.
Acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles on April 1 for a conditional 2026 draft pick, Reddick brought high expectations after recording at least 11 sacks per season from 2020 to 2023. However, contractual disputes with the Eagles led to the trade, and subsequent miscommunication with the Jets about his deal caused Reddick to miss OTAs, minicamp, and training camp. Although the Jets eventually adjusted his contract midseason, Reddick has remained ineffective on the field.
The trade’s repercussions extended beyond Reddick’s underperformance. To afford Reddick’s contract, the Jets traded veteran John Franklin-Myers, a defensive leader, for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
While Reddick has struggled, Franklin-Myers is excelling with six sacks and 16 quarterback hits this season, highlighting the trade’s detrimental impact on the Jets’ roster.
