A reunion between the Carolina Panthers and Haason Reddick is unlikely
When Haason Reddick agreed to the one-year, $8 million offer he got with the Panthers last offseason, he was essentially betting on himself that he could have another big season after a breakout year with the Cardinals.
That gamble paid off.
He led the Panthers with 11 sacks in 2021, and soon, Reddick will get a new contract with a lot more money.
Unfortunately, the contract he’s looking for likely won’t come from the Panthers.
The top three highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL are Von Miller at $19 million per year, Chandler Jones at $16.5 million per year and Jason Pierre Paul at $12.5 million per year. Reddick is expected to command more than $15 million a year, which is far more than the Panthers are willing — or have — to spend on a free agent this offseason.
They also re-signed linebacker Frankie Luvu to a two-year, $9 million deal.
Not only is that starter money, but coach Matt Rhule said he views Luvu, who plays the same position Reddick does, as a starter.
“If you watch the Saints game, he had to go in there for Haason, he played that outside linebacker position, he was disruptive, he had 11 tackles, we put him at inside linebacker, he makes plays,” Rhule said. “I think he’s one of those guys who is the heart and soul of a team. Every guy on our team respects Frankie, loves Frankie. Loves the way he plays.
“I think Frankie is a guy who is going to start for us and play at a high level.”
The Panthers have about $12.3 million in cap space, according to overthecap.com. That number will change some as the Panthers continue to negotiate with other pending free agents and try to clear more cap space before free agency begins.
Some of that money will be allocated to the rookies they draft, some needs to be left for in-season spending and some money will be needed for other free agents.
Reddick came to their Panthers in the 2021 offseason after a stint in Arizona. Through his first few years with the Cardinals, they struggled to find the right fit for him, trying him out at inside linebacker before putting him at his natural spot on the outside. He had 7.5 sacks in his first three seasons combined with the Cardinals, but had 12.5 sacks in his fourth season.
The Cardinals declined to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract and let him walk. That’s what led him to the Panthers, where Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow reconnected with their former player from Temple.
Reddick was arguably the Panthers’ best defensive player for most of 2021. He led the team in sacks, was tied with two forced fumbles, and had the second-most tackles for loss. He was voted as a first-team alternate for the Pro Bowl.
At the end of the season, Reddick indicated that he’d like to return to Carolina if the opportunity presented itself.
“Definitely would love to be back,” he said in January. “I’ve received so much love from teammates, coaches and fan base. I would love to be back.”
Fitterer said he’s had discussions with Reddick’s agent, Tory Dandy, over the last couple of weeks.
“Haason has earned the right to go out and see what he can get,” Fitterer said. “He’s got two years in a row with double-digit sacks. He’s going to command a lot of money on the market.
“I’m happy for him. We just want the dialogue to be open, give us a chance, and we’ll see where it goes.”
This story was originally published March 3, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "A reunion between the Carolina Panthers and Haason Reddick is unlikely."
