Eagles rumors: Philly reportedly interested in retaining Haason Reddick but at a reasonable price
They say it ain't over 'til it's over. Maybe that isn't the best way to begin this one. Maybe another statement or catchphrase is more applicable, but that's where I'll hang my imaginary general manager cap. Why? Though some of you have already given up on Haason Reddick's return, I see no scenario that ends with him leaving the Philadelphia Eagles and this team getting better in his absence.
I've said that to say this. If I have to beat the 'Bring Haason Back' drum all by my damn self, doggone it, that's what I'm going to do. I don't care if he's old. I don't care who needs to get signed next year or the year after that. Heck, maybe that's why I'll never be a G.M. in the NFL.
Heaven knows it's going to be hard to pay him AND Josh Sweat AND hand out extensions to guys like Milton Williams and Landon Dickerson. Perhaps you have heard. All of their numbers have come up or are about to.
There's hope if you're still among the contingent who still want Haason Reddick on the Eagles roster.
Days pass, and the vibe hasn't changed much. Haason Reddick's contractual dilemma has split Eagles fans and the Philly media down the middle. Some say it would be foolish to let Philly's best rusher walk when this defense already has issues with generating a consistent pass rush. Others state he's too old and would be too expensive.
I'm, again, on the 'Bring Haason Back' train. I never claimed to be a cap expert. That's Howie Roseman's job to be one. I'm too shortsighted. My thoughts keep leading me back to the same area. What makes this team the best team it can be right now?
The answers are always the same. This team isn't better without Reddick. And, no... James Bradberry's regression isn't a valid enough reason to believe the same will happen to the Temple alum. Some might state we're comparing apples to oranges.
There are other things to think about. If the Eagles are in a rebuilding mode, then, by all means, move on. If this team is serious about contending for a Vince Lombardi Trophy next season, he must be on this team's roster. Don't believe me? Think about that anemic pass rush at the end of the most recent season.
Tell me with a straight face that Philly can afford to let one of their best players on defense move on. Tell me this team is so good that they can afford to let good players walk away. You can't do it, can you? Yep! That's what I thought!
As always, these things always come back to discussions about finances. Truthfully, that will write the conclusion to Haason's tale, regardless of what that tale winds up being. Some believe he seeks something in the area of $25 million per season. Cap experts have chimed in stating his value is less than that. We've even gone so far as to explore his trade value (But, we referenced trades involving other elite edge rushers to form our opinions about such).
Victor Williams at The Liberty Line has chimed in. Sources tell him, following news of the recent NFL salary cap increase, that Philly might be interested in inking him to a deal that's in the area of $22 million per season. That gives me hope. IF Williams' sources are correct, many of us will have our wishes granted. Number 7 will be back next season.
It's really that simple. For as long as many of us have watched football, we've heard variations of the following phrase if we haven't heard said phrase verbatim. "Put the best possible team on the field". Again, we challenge anyone to explain to us how the Eagles can do such without having their Pro Bowl edge rusher on the roster.
Don't worry. We'll wait. We'd love to hear what you come up with to support a conflicting theory.