The last two years of edge rusher Haason Reddick’s career have been, to say the least, eventful. After reaching his peak with the Philadelphia Eagles, he was traded to the New York Jets but became entangled in a contract dispute that sidelined him for nearly half of last season, appearing in only 10 games, with just two starts.
This offseason, the veteran signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth $14 million, including $12 million guaranteed. However, he has yet to report to the OTAs, and head coach Todd Bowles made a concerning comment about the situation.
Haason Reddick Skips First Day of OTAs
OTAs are Organized Team Activities held by teams during the offseason, well before training camps begin. While they are optional for veterans, they are mandatory for rookies. Still, it’s always noteworthy to see which veteran players choose to attend, especially those who are new to the team.
In Reddick’s case, his decision last season to hold out after being traded, without a new contract in place, wasn’t well-received around the league. It even raised questions about why the Jets would trade for a player without securing a deal beforehand.
As expected, his season with the Jets was underwhelming. He went unnoticed in most of the games he played and recorded just one sack. After signing with the Buccaneers, the hope was that he could return to the high level of play he showed during his two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, his absence from OTAs has sparked concerns that the same lack of commitment may be continuing into 2025. Bowles addressed the situation in a way that suggested Reddick will show up to practice when he feels like it, casting further doubt on his engagement with the team.
“I’m sure one of these days, we’ll see him,” Bowles said.
“I’m sure one of these days, we’ll see him,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said of OLB Haason Reddick, who was among a handful of veterans not present at today’s voluntary OTA workout.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 27, 2025
The situation is especially interesting because the Buccaneers went through something very similar last season with Randy Gregory. They had signed the edge rusher in the offseason, but he failed to report to practices and was eventually released.
It’s important to note that many veterans skip OTAs and report later for training camp. This year, Mike Evans, Lavonte David, Tristan Wirfs, Chris Godwin, and Vita Vea were also absent. However, all of them are long-time members of the franchise.
Reddick, on the other hand, just joined the team, and showing up to OTAs could’ve been a smart move to make a good first impression. Still, the player’s decision may simply be a way to preserve himself and arrive fresh for the preseason, especially considering that when he joined the team, he expressed excitement about being part of the roster.
In early April, Reddick addressed his 2024 situation upon reporting to the Buccaneers. “I know that everybody is worried about last year, but last year is last year, right? I’m here now. Different mindset, different space, just ready to put the past behind me and continue to move forward, and what better place to do it than here?” the player said.
The Buccaneers will open the season on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. The franchise has won the NFC South in each of the past four years, and with Reddick as a key defensive addition, they enter 2025 with the same goal, and perhaps with hopes of reaching even greater heights within the conference.