GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers are facing a significant challenge on the edge as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season. Star pass rusher Micah Parsons, acquired prior to last season, is unlikely to be ready for Week 1 after suffering an ACL injury in December. According to reports, Parsons is a candidate to begin the year on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, with a potential debut not coming until mid-October.

The stakes are high. The Packers failed to win a single game after Parsons went down last season, underscoring just how critical his presence is to the defense. In his five-year NFL career, the dynamic edge defender has recorded at least 12 sacks in every season, including 12.5 sacks in just 14 games before the injury. His absence creates a clear void that Green Bay must address.

Enter Haason Reddick.

Sports Illustrated’s Packers beat writer Bill Huber has strongly advocated for the veteran edge rusher as an ideal addition in free agency. Having already signed former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Javon Hargrave — another player with ties to new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon — adding Reddick would create meaningful continuity in Gannon’s scheme.

A Proven Producer in Gannon’s System

Reddick, who will turn 32 early in the 2026 season, enjoyed his finest moment under Gannon with the Eagles in 2022. That year, he exploded for 16 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hits, three pass defenses, and a league-leading five forced fumbles. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honors that season.

Over a four-year stretch from 2020-2023, Reddick posted double-digit sack totals each year, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s more consistent pass-rush threats. Across nine NFL seasons and 137 games, he has accumulated 61.5 sacks and earned more than $80 million in career earnings.

While Reddick’s production has dipped in recent years — just 3.5 sacks across his last 23 games — Huber argues the numbers don’t tell the full story. According to Pro Football Focus data from last season, Reddick ranked 54th out of 110 qualifying edge defenders in pass-rush win rate among those with at least 150 pass-rushing opportunities. For context, that placed him ahead of former Packer Rashan Gary (56th) and well ahead of Kingsley Enagbare (75th), while teammate Rashan Gary’s successor candidate Preston Smith or others in the room will benefit from added competition.

“Without Parsons, the Packers could have a hard time getting after the quarterback,” Huber noted. Reddick’s veteran savvy and familiarity with Gannon’s defensive concepts could accelerate the unit’s development and provide immediate production on passing downs.

Smart Business at the Right Price

Financially, a deal for Reddick makes sense for Green Bay. Spotrac projects the veteran could be available on a one-year, $4.9 million contract. That modest investment offers high upside with relatively low risk, especially as a bridge or rotational piece while the Packers manage Parsons’ return.

The timing also aligns with past successful Packers moves. Huber pointed to the 2021 signing of linebacker De’Vondre Campbell at the start of minicamp as a comparable low-risk, high-reward veteran addition that paid immediate dividends.

Raising the Stakes in the NFC North

By bringing in Reddick, the Packers aren’t just patching a hole — they’re signaling aggression in a ultra-competitive NFC North. With Parsons eventually returning to full strength alongside a bolstered defensive line featuring Hargrave and others, Green Bay’s pass rush could become one of the more formidable units in the conference.

Reddick may no longer be in his absolute prime, but his experience, proven production in this exact system, and ability to win on a per-snap basis position him as a valuable contributor. For a Packers team looking to stay in contention while their franchise edge rusher heals, the move represents smart, analytical roster-building.

The NFC North just got a little tougher — and Haason Reddick could be the unexpected villain opposing quarterbacks dread facing on Sunday afternoons.