Cardinals’ Haason Reddick: ‘This whole year has been special to me’
Jan 2, 2021, 8:48 AM
(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
Between breaking franchise records, earning his first NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor and recording career-high statistics, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick has found his groove this season.
“I knew I wanted to be a double-digit guy this year,” Reddick told reporters via Zoom on Friday. “And the fact that I was able to achieve that goal, this whole year has been special to me.
“Like I said before in previous interviews, I feel like a lot of people doubted me, and I knew what I could do. And I was able to go out there this year and show that I can rush the passer and I can do it all.”
The Cardinals’ 2017 first-round pick entered the season with a career sack total of 7.5. He has since racked up 12.5 sacks in this season alone, tied for third in the league behind T.J. Watt and Aaron Donald.
RELATED STORIES
Reddick has also recorded career-highs in tackles for loss (14) and quarterback hits (16).
“They have a saying, ‘Don’t chase sacks. Don’t chase production. As long as you do things the right way, they’ll finally come,'” he said. “And sacks comes in bunches, man. So the mentality was to just keep pushing, not worrying about the stat line, and going out there and playing ball.”
The fourth-year pro has gone through three position changes during his time in the NFL, but has gained momentum as an outside linebacker.
Reddick credits most of his recent success to offseason work. Going into a contract year after the Cardinals opted against picking up the fifth year on his rookie contract, Reddick knew he had to put in the hours to take his skills to a higher level.
His hard work mindset paid off in Week 14 against the New York Giants, when he set a Cardinals’ single-game franchise record of five sacks, along with three forced fumbles.
“My only goal was to go out here and push forward and get ready to play for future,” he said.
When asked about his contract and future in Arizona, Reddick said he’s learned how many decisions are based around good business, but he’s hopeful to keep wearing red and white.
“This is my first time, rookie deal about to be up, and I don’t really know all the ins and outs yet of what’s to happen as far as negotiations and what I’m able to do,” he said. “But, hopefully, I’ll get to stay here. I would like to stay there, but we’ll see what happens when it comes. When the time comes, we’ll see what happens.”
