Cardinals predicted to land $45 million edge rusher at NFL trade deadline

While the Arizona Cardinals have had some success on offense this season, it has been the opposite on defense, where Arizona is giving up the sixth-most points per game to opposing offenses, which has contributed to a 2-3 start.

One area on defense in particular that could use an upgrade is the pass-rush. Arizona has just 11 sacks through five games, ranking tied for 19th in the NFL.

Considering that, CBS Sports' Josh Edwards predicts the Cardinals will trade for New York Jets edge rusher Haason Reddick, who has yet to report to the Jets because of his desire for a contract extension. In the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract, Reddick wants security, but the Jets aren't willing to oblige.

"Arizona was one of the logical landing spots in the offseason due to Reddick's relationship with head coach Jonathan Gannon," Edwards explained. "The Cardinals are in the thick of the playoff chase, but need more playmakers on defense."

Not only does Reddick have a relationship with Gannon, who was his defensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles , he's also familiar with Arizona after spending four seasons there.

His final campaign with the Cardinals was the start of an impressive four-year run that saw Reddick tally double-digit sacks each season, including a career-high 16 under Gannon in 2022. Reddick would be a massive upgrade for Arizona.

Of course, no trade can be done before the Cardinals can work out an extension with Reddick, or else they might be in the same boat the Jets are now. Thankfully, the Cardinals have plenty of cap space with $21.3 million to work with, and they're loaded in 2025 with a projected $119.9 million.

The Jets will almost certainly wait things out with Reddick until the deadline to see if he comes around, but if not and New York looks to move him, the Cardinals should make a play, assuming they're still in the thick of things like they are now.