The Washington Commanders have been drawn into speculation regarding a potential trade for Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns’ star edge rusher and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett has reportedly requested a trade, and any team looking to acquire him will have to pay a steep price. Given his talent, he could be worth the investment, but the Commanders—or any interested franchise—would likely have to give up multiple first-round draft picks to make a deal happen. Additionally, Garrett is still owed $45 million over the next two seasons, making the financial aspect another major factor to consider.
Instead of pursuing an expensive trade, Washington might be better off targeting a veteran edge rusher in free agency who still has the ability to perform at a high level but needs a fresh start. One potential candidate is Haason Reddick, a two-time All-Pro who is looking to bounce back after a turbulent 2024 season with the New York Jets. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently ranked Reddick at No. 28 on his list of the Top 50 free agents for the 2025 offseason, highlighting his potential value on the open market.
Reddick’s lone season with the Jets was disappointing, largely due to a prolonged contract dispute that kept him off the field for nearly half of the year. When he did return, he failed to make a significant impact, which hurt his standing heading into free agency. However, before his stint in New York, Reddick was a dominant pass rusher, consistently producing strong numbers. In 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded 11 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 35 quarterback pressures. Even more impressively, he posted four consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks before being traded to the Jets.
At 30 years old, Reddick still has the capability to be an elite pass rusher, and Washington could benefit from his presence without having to sacrifice high draft picks as they would in a deal for Garrett. The Commanders’ pass rush has been a concern since trading away Montez Sweat and Chase Young, and Reddick could help fill that void.
While Myles Garrett remains an intriguing trade target, the cost of acquiring him might be too steep for the Commanders. Opting for Reddick instead could provide the team with a proven edge rusher at a more reasonable price, allowing them to bolster their defense without mortgaging their future draft assets.
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