The Panthers may have watched Jadeveon Clowney head back to Houston, but another familiar edge rusher is still out there, and Carolina could use the help.
That player is Haason Reddick, who spent the 2021 season in Charlotte and turned in one of the better years of his career there. The former first-round pick by Arizona in 2017 came to Carolina after the Cardinals declined to pick up his fifth-year option, and he signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Panthers. In 16 starts, he piled up 68 tackles, led the team with 11.0 sacks, added two forced fumbles and recovered one fumble, while finishing fourth on the roster in tackles.
Reddick’s career has moved in a different direction since then. He followed that breakout with back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons in Philadelphia in 2022 and 2023, then was traded to the Jets, where he produced one sack in 10 games. Last season with the Buccaneers, he started 12 of 13 games and finished with 31 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Now 31 and turning 32 in late September, Reddick may not be the same player he was during that strong Panthers run, but he still has enough track record to warrant a look. Carolina’s pass rush has taken a hit with Nic Scourton out after tearing his ACL early in training camp. Scourton had tied for the team lead with five sacks a year ago.
The Panthers have also added Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd this offseason, and a healthy Patrick Jones II could matter too after he appeared in only four games in 2025. Even with those moves, Carolina’s edge group still needs more juice. Since 2023, the Panthers have managed an NFL-low 89 sacks, and a familiar name like Reddick could still offer something in a limited role.
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