The most overblown story in about the Bucs and arguably in the NFL was put to rest this week when outside linebacker Haason Reddick was in attendance for Bucs’ mandatory mini-camp this week after missing out on OTAs in the previous weeks, which are, of course, voluntary.

It was the perfect storm of over dramatized with Reddick based on a number of parallels. The first being that Reddick sat out of training camp last year with the Jets after wanting a new contract and not playing until late October. The other was that the Bucs ran into a situation last offseason where they signed veteran edge rusher Randy Gregory, who never showed up for any practice and was eventually released.  However, it was the last straw for Gregory trying to stay in the league, and his contract was low risk, high reward.

The situation with Reddick is completely different, though, as the Bucs gave him more money than any team would have and a role as a starter at outside linebacker.

Haason Reddick Explains Bucs’ OTA Absence

Following practice this week, Haason Reddick finally put to bed why he wasn’t OTAs while at mini-camp.

“I’ll address it before y’all do,” Reddick said. “I know everybody was concerned about me not showing up at OTAs but for me, I definitely made sure to stay in shape. I think I showed that to everybody out here. I don’t think it should’ve been a question, but [I] just had some things to button up on as I get ready to make this transition down here so that way, once I get here, I don’t have to worry about [anything] back there at home.”

Bucs OLB Haason Reddick – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

What everyone is forgetting as well was that Reddick was in Tampa Bay for some of Phase 1 of the offseason program. He specifically made it a point to meet some of his teammates beforehand and not be a distraction for the group around him.

“When I came down here to introduce myself to the guys and get around the guys, I came earlier in OTAs and when I got back, just trying to get everything buttoned up” Reddick added. “I don’t want any distractions. I just want to play good football.  I don’t want anybody worried about ‘Oh, he’s got this going on,” I want to come down here and focus on football and focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

Bucs OLBs Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

Haason Reddick Isn’t Listening To Any Public Criticism

Whether Haason Reddick will be productive for Tampa Bay or if he’s regressed is another conversation. There are still some that are sour about what happened last season. Reddick is not one of them, though. When asked about if he’s motivated to “regain” his reputation as premiere edge rusher in this league, he smirked at the question.

“Regain my reputation, huh?” Reddick said. “I am motivated, but not for that type of stuff. I don’t care what people think about me to be honest. People can say whatever they want, it’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it. The only thing I’m worried about is me…not the only thing, but when you talk about things like that, as long as I’m in a great place in a safe space and my mental is strong, that’s the only thing that I’m worried about.”

Bucs OLB Haason Reddick – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

This one-year contract is mutually beneficial to Haason Reddick and the Bucs. Reddick has a chance to catapult himself into an even bigger payday with a productive season. Also, he’s getting $12 million guaranteed, so if it doesn’t work out, he still got paid. At the same time, Tampa Bay improves their pass rush at outside linebacker, which desperately needed an upgrade. And if it doesn’t work out, the Bucs are only on the hook for one season.

In perfect harmony, the goals of Reddick can also coincide with the goals of the Bucs.

“Sometimes, people do get it confused,” Reddick said. “Sometimes, your own goals can align with team goals, right? I think that’s the thing that’s most important – making sure that your own goals align with the same goals as the team, and as long as that happens, I think everything should be good. I don’t really have any individual goals other than… People are like, ‘Oh, how many sacks are you going to get this year?’ I don’t know. I just know that I come in here trying to play great football and dominate the man they put in front of me.”

Bucs OLB Haason Reddick – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Then he backtracked slightly, but there still isn’t a specific number.

“Maybe double digits is my goal,” Reddick said. “But other than that, I just want to play good football.”