Haason Reddick named Panthers’ ‘unsung hero’ of 2021 season

Heroes come in many shapes and many sizes. For the 2021 Carolina Panthers, theirs came in the form of a 6-foot-1, 235-pound outside linebacker.

That hero, Haason Reddick, also came to the team at a shockingly affordable price. Carolina was able to lure in the former 13th overall pick, who was fresh off a 12.5-sack season with the Arizona Cardinals, with a svelte one-year, $6 million pact.

Reddick’s output, as well as that steal of a deal, was good enough to earn that aforementioned heroic distinction—a title given to him by NFL.com writer Nick Shook.

“The free-agent signee put together quite the first season in Charlotte,” writes Shook, who identified each NFC team’s “unsung hero” of 2021. “He finished with 11 sacks, giving him his second straight season with double-digit quarterback takedowns. Playing alongside standout edge rusher Brian Burns, Reddick was a Next Gen Stats stud, recording a QB pressure percentage of 11.5 (43 total pressures), 12 run stuffs, 52 stops and one turnover caused by pressure, to go along with 68 total tackles. Reddick ranked in the top 10 among rushers (min. 250 snaps) in stops and in the top 15 in stuffs, putting together a season that was about more than just getting after the quarterback.”

Some may argue Reddick was quite “sung” around these parts. Not only did his impactful campaign make quite the impression on the Carolina faithful, but the broader base of NFL fans helped make him the conference’s leading vote-getter at his position for the 2022 Pro Bowl.

While Reddick somehow didn’t actually end up getting a ticket to Las Vegas for this weekend’s all-star event, he’ll surely be able to afford first-class accommodations for any future flights with a prosperous trip to free agency ahead of him.