The Patriots left the trade deadline without addressing one of their biggest problems, and that decision has pushed them into a corner. If New England is going to add pass-rushing help now, the options are thin enough that Haason Reddick has become part of the conversation.
That says plenty about where this defense stands. K’Lavon Chaisson is gone after leaving in free agency, Harold Landry III has been out, and Gabe Jacas missed most of training camp while holding out on a contract. There is talent in the room, but the young edge rushers may simply need more time before they can carry full-time roles.
Even with that reality staring them down, the Patriots did nothing at the deadline. They passed on a chance to reinforce a need that had been obvious since camp opened.
That’s why Moe Moton floated Reddick as a possible fit. In his view, the veteran edge rusher could make sense in a designated pass-rushing role for either the Carolina Panthers or the Patriots. Moton pointed to New England’s pressure rate of 16.7 percent, which ranks 24th, and Carolina’s second-lowest mark at 16.5 percent.
“In a designated pass-rushing role, Reddick should be able to make an impact. 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,” wrote Moton.
Still, this would be a far cry from the kind of move Reddick once represented. Three or four years ago, he would have looked like a major addition. Now, he’s available for a reason.
His name still carries weight, but the production hasn’t matched the reputation since his contract standoff with the Philadelphia Eagles. He wanted too much money and hasn’t backed it up with production.
If the Patriots were to pursue him, it would have to be on a bargain deal. Anything else would be hard to justify.
Reddick does bring versatility, and he can fit into different defensive systems. But there’s also the question of how much he has left after being a non-factor last season and not playing this season. Rust would be part of the equation.
The Patriots may not have the luxury of being picky. They need help, and badly enough that a player with baggage could still land on their radar. He hasn’t always been the most positive locker room presence, but in theory he could help mold Jacas and Elijah Ponder, even if that feels more hopeful than realistic.
New England came into the year with a roster that looked promising but thin, and that thinness has shown up. Instead of making a move to give Mike Vrabel more to work with, the Patriots held onto their draft picks as if those picks could help them win right now.
At this point, another move feels unlikely. But if the Patriots do decide to chase help, Haason Reddick would be among the names to watch. Whether he can actually move the needle is another question entirely.
In Other News...
Lions Munich Game Just Got A Halftime Twist Fans Will Notice
The Patriots trip to Munich already carried plenty of intrigue, and now the NFL has added a halftime act that should fit the setting. Cage The Elephant will perform during the International Series game between New England and Detroit, bringing an American rock presence to a stage the league has been using to lean into local flavor and big-event atmosphere.
The bands selection also gives the matchup a little extra texture for fans following along from afar. Cage The Elephant has built a sizable catalog with six albums and two Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album, and the league pointed to the groups ties to Germany and its rock tradition in announcing the show. For a game that already stands out on the schedule, the halftime break just became part of the draw too. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Campbell Just Raised The Stakes For Patriots In Munich
The Patriots trip to Munich already carried some extra weight, and Dan Campbell just added a little more to it. With New England set to face Detroit in Week 10, the Lions coach made it clear his team is treating the overseas matchup like a serious business trip, stressing their readiness and the plan they want to execute on Sunday.
For the Patriots, the timing is tricky. They head into Germany dealing with some missing pieces and trying to bounce back from a loss to the Packers, knowing another slip would mean a second straight defeat. Against a Detroit team that sounds intent on making the most of the moment, New England will need a cleaner performance to keep the week from turning into a bigger problem. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Have A.J. Brown Concern They Cant Ignore This Week
A.J. Browns Week 10 status is one of the bigger receiver storylines around the league, and it matters for the Patriots because it could shape how New England has to approach a matchup built around one of the NFLs most dangerous pass catchers. With Mike Evans already ruled out and several other top wideouts dealing with their own injury tags, Brown sits in a crowded group of notable names whose availability could swing game plans and coverage decisions.
For New England, the concern is simple: if Brown is active, the Patriots have to prepare for a player who changes the way defenses can line up and rotate help. He is listed as questionable along with Garrett Wilson and Amon-Ra St. Brown, while other receivers including Tank Dell, Jakobi Meyers, Rashee Rice, Deebo Samuel and George Pickens were cleared, leaving Browns status as the one to watch as the week moves on. [Read more 🡒]