For the second time in the last half-decade, the Philadelphia Eagles are in the Super Bowl. A big reason why is the all-in approach by the Eagles last offseason, and the most impactful move was snagging linebacker Haason Reddick.

Reddick received his first Pro Bowl nod in 2022 and was named a second-team All-Pro, validating the Eagles' signing him to a three-year deal for $45 million. However, after leading the Carolina Panthers with 11 sacks in 2021, Reddick didn't want to leave, but he says they didn't feel the same way.

“It was not that I wanted to test free agency,” Reddick said on Monday. “Carolina just had other plans and other directions they wanted to go.”

Reddick even made his feelings known before he left the Panthers:

“I don’t know what’s gonna happen you know,” Reddick said. “I let my agent and Scott (Fitterer) deal with that. Because that’s not really where my focus is right now. My focus is on trying to finish the season strong. But I said before, man, definitely would love to be back.”

In this case, another team's trash is another team's treasure. Reddick was one of the best defensive players in the NFL this season finishing with a career-high 16 sacks, the second-most in the league. Reddick also tallied 26 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss, three passes defended, three fumble recoveries, and an NFL-high five forced fumbles.

Reddick has continued to make the Eagles look like geniuses in the postseason. He's racked up eight tackles, 3.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in two games.

With how dominant Reddick has been and the accolades he's received this season, one would think he'd feel like he's gotten the recognition he deserves. However, the former first-round pick still thinks he's being shafted when it comes to the NFL's elite pass rushers.

“No, I don’t feel I get enough respect as a pass rusher,” said Reddick on Monday. “But, I mean, everybody’s entitled to their own opinion at the end of the day. The stats, the numbers, the things that are important — they don’t lie. It’s all in front of everybody’s face. So if people want to [turn] a blind eye to it, go ahead. It is what it is.”

Reddick has 39.5 sacks over the last three seasons, so he's certainly proven his worth. For the Kansas City Chiefs, they better figure out a way to neutralize Reddick as much as possible, or a second Super Bowl title will likely be on its way to Philadelphia.

Feature image via Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports