Panthers’ Haason Reddick ‘would love to be back’ with Carolina next season
Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns laughed when asked if he has a chance to catch teammate Haason Reddick’s sack total with one game remaining in the Panthers’ regular season.
Reddick leads Carolina with 11 sacks, two more than Burns. The duo made a friendly preseason wager. Whomever finished with fewer sacks would gift the sack champion a custom luxury golf cart.
“There is always a shot,” Burns said chuckling. “You know, sacks come in bunches. I haven’t really thought about the golf cart since we made the bet.”
For good reason, Burns’ mind has been elsewhere as he, Reddick and the rest of the Panthers have navigated a difficult season.
Reddick sat out last week after testing positive for COVID-19, missing the Panthers’ 18-10 loss to New Orleans. On Wednesday, he said he is feeling better and is eager to end this season on a high note by upsetting Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Panthers activated him from the reserve/COVID list and he is expected to play Sunday.
The Panthers (5-11) have lost six straight games and 11 of their last 13. Reddick and Burns serve as scarce bright spots on a team that struggled to generate wins or highlights.
Speaking to media for, perhaps, a final time this season, Reddick remained open to the idea of returning to the Panthers. He signed a one-year deal last offseason but should command a multi-year contract and double-digit millions after notching 10-plus sacks in consecutive seasons.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen you know. I let my agent and Scott (Fitterer) deal with that. Because that’s not really where my focus is right now,” Reddick said. “My focus is on trying to finish the season strong. But I said before, man, definitely would love to be back.”
Burns wants Reddick back too. He said he learned a lot from practicing and communicating with Reddick each day. Both are similar style pass rushers. Reddick – who is four years older than Burns – taught the 23-year-old Burns valuable rushing techniques.
“I was able to pick up some moves from him and talk pass rush,” Burns said. “He pushes me to be better and teaches me a different way to rush that is within my same way of rushing. I don’t think we scratched the surface on what we could’ve done this season.”
Burns and Reddick have combined for 20 sacks, fourth-most among NFL teammates. Only the Rams (Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd) Cardinals (Chandler Jones and Markus Golden) and Titans (Harold Landry III and Denico Autry) feature more productive duos.
Opposing offenses started game planning around Burns and Reddick as the season unfolded. Often they were met with chips and double teams to slow them down. When those didn’t work then bootleg passes and quick throws were effective at neutralizing their upfield styles.
Keeping Reddick will cost the Panthers much more than the $6 million they paid him this season. Carolina has about $29 million in available cap space but has more than 20 other upcoming free agents, including quarterback Cam Newton and cornerbacks Donte Jackson and Stephon Gilmore.
If the money and opportunity align then Reddick would love to return, opening the door for another Burns-Reddick side wager next season.
“I’ve received so much love from teammates, coaches, the fan base, and I love it here,” Reddick said. “I would love to be back if all the cards fall that way. Then you know, it’s keep pounding.”
Other notes
▪ The Panthers added defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos to the reserve/ COVID list. However, they activated several players off the list including Reddick, quarterback P.J. Walker and tight end Tommy Tremble. Defensive tackle Phil Hoskins remains on the list along with Jaycee Horn and Daviyon Nixon, who are also on the injured reserve.
▪ Rookie receiver Terrance Marshall Jr. and tackle Cam Erving were placed on the injured reserve and will not finish the season. Marshall suffered a foot injury last week against New Orleans. Erving has missed the last two games with a calf injury.
▪ Coach Matt Rhule praised several rookies that have seen increased playing time toward the end of the season. Rhule said defensive backs Kenny Robinson and rookie Keith Taylor are proving themselves as quality pros in their extended action.
▪ Rookie Brady Christensen will start again at left tackle. Rhule said he has been impressed with the continued versatility Christensen shows playing either tackle or guard.
This story was originally published January 5, 2022 at 5:42 PM.
