Former Panthers star won't be making a homecoming to fix ailing pass rush

The Carolina Panthers had a direct link to one of the best available pass rushers on the open market. Haason Reddick was with the Panthers for a year, and he was one of the best edge rushers they've had in recent memory. Unfortunately, that potential homecoming to fix the weak pass rush won't happen.

Haason Reddick has agreed to terms on a 1 year deal for $14mil with $12mil guaranteed with the Buccaneers. Deal negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2025

In fact, Carolina will now have to deal with blocking the star pass rusher twice a year. The former Panthers star has inked a one-year deal to play with Carolina's rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs, in rapid succession, re-signed possible Panthers target Chris Godwin and swooped in on Reddick as well.

Fortunately for the Panthers, there are other options, namely in a deep edge class in the draft. James Pearce Jr., Abdul Carter (if the Panthers should be so lucky for him to fall that far), Nic Scourton, Jalon Walker, or Mike Green could all be good options in round one.

Oct 31, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets defensive end Haason Reddick (7) on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Joey Bosa, Von Miller (as horrible as that would be to see, he's a good option on a short-term deal), Za'Darius Smith, Dre'Mont Jones, Josh Sweat, and Chase Young are all still options in free agency. The Panthers have a lot of different pathways to take.

Perhaps one of the easiest would've been to reconnect with their former player and sign him to a similar deal. The Bucs spent $14 million on him, and while that's roughly half the salary cap space they have, it'd be worth it to have a pass rush that can actually pressure quarterbacks.

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