The Arizona Cardinals become the latest NFL team to pass on the fifth-year contract option of their 2017 first-round draft pick. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cardinals have declined the fifth-year contract option on linebacker Hasson Reddick. He will be a free agent after the 2020 season.
Reddick was drafted No. 13 overall in the 2017 draft and has had a rocky career with the Cardinals. He played defensive end in college, was drafted to play inside linebacker, was moved to the edge as a rookie because Markus Golden tore his ACL. He had to learn a new defense in 2018 under head coach Steve Wilks and struggled. In 2019, back in a 3-4 defense at inside linebacker, he lost his starting job and playing time to Joe Walker and was moved back to outside linebacker.
Reddick is now slated to be backup pass rusher at outside linebacker. He will make $2.3 million in the final year of his contract and counts $4.3 million against the salary cap.
He could be a trade candidate but it probably won’t happen until after he has had a chance to show he can be a productive pass rusher in the preseason.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 266
Ep.265
