Bucs general manager Jason Licht commented on the signing of new outside linebacker Haason Reddick last week on the The Drive With TKras on WDAE 95.3 FM. In an interview with Tom Krasniqi, Licht discussed the thought process in taking a chance on the two-time Pro Bowler, who saw his streak of four double-digit sack seasons come to an end last year in New York. And Licht also believes the addition of Reddick will pay dividends for Yaya Diaby and some of the team’s young pass rushers.

Despite a tumultuous season with the Jets that saw Reddick hold out during training camp and the first seven games of the season and then register just one sack in the final 10 games of the season, Licht sees a hungry player that is eager to restore his reputation as a double-digit sacker.

“During the season when things weren’t – it was just kind of a bizarre year for him, as he explained with the Jets – when we knew he was going to be a free agent, and we had talked several times internally that if he hits free agency or when he does, that this guy might be something that is worth betting on,” Licht said. “Because he is going to be very hungry to prove to everybody that he is still the same player that he was previously before last year.

“Just talking to him after we brought him in to sign the contract he’s very, very determined to prove to everybody that last year was a fluke and he’s still the same player.”

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

The Bucs were in desperate need of an alpha edge rusher to replace Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a former failed first-round pick, and pair with Yaya Diaby, who had 7.5 sacks as a rookie, but saw those numbers dip to 4.5 last year. Reddick had four straight years of double-digit sacks from 2020-2023, totaling 50.5 sacks during that time-frame.

And he did it with three different teams in Arizona (2020), Carolina (2021) and Philadelphia (2022-23), which shows that he has a natural knack for getting to the quarterback – regardless of what scheme he’s playing in on whatever team he is on.

“He’s such a freak,” Licht said. “He’s a freak athlete. He really knows how to get after the quarterback. How many – [50.5] sacks in four years? He’s just one year removed from that string that he had where he was an elite guy.”

Tampa Bay hasn’t had a double-digit sacker since Shaq Barrett had 10 during his last Pro Bowl season in 2021. If the Bucs’ gamble on Reddick pays off, he should be the next double-digit sacker in red and pewter – and perhaps he can bring a teammate or two along for a ride on the sack train in 2025.

Bucs Hope Haason Reddick Can Help Make Yaya Diaby An Elite Edge Rusher, Too

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The 30-year old Reddick is suddenly the oldest and most experienced pass rusher in the Bucs’ very young outside linebacker room. Bucs general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles are hoping that Reddick’s presence can help to mentor Tampa Bay’s young edge rushers, and that’s something the former first-round pick said he’s excited to do.

“He’s a great guy,” Licht said of Reddick on The Drive With TKras. “He’s going to be great fit. He can already sense what the locker room is like. He’s one of those guys you like to be direct with and he likes to hear the truth. The truth was, ‘Hey, you’re going to love this team and you’re going to love your teammates.

“We have a history here of rewarding people after they come in on these one-year, prove-it deals and there’s a chance that we could do that here with you.’”

Reddick signed a one-year deal with the Bucs worth $14 million, featuring $12 million in guaranteed money. He wants one more shot at a big-time contract, and that could happen in Tampa Bay if he has a big year and returns to form as a double-digit sacker.

Reddick’s value to the Bucs will be enhanced if he can draw enough attention from opposing offensive coordinators that it frees up players like outside linebacker Yaya Diaby and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who led the team with 7.5 sacks last year, to be even more productive pass rushers. That’s part of the reason why Licht and head coach Todd Bowles pursued Reddick this offseason.

“We thought about that, and we’ve talked about that numerous times since the season was over,” Licht said. “And you know it’s one – or all three of those guys – are going to benefit from this. So you know, I wouldn’t be surprised if Yaya ends up having double digits, or certainly wouldn’t be surprised if Calijah did. And Vita [Vea] – I mean, who are you going to double-team? So we’re very, very excited about what’s in store here for this season.”