4 NFL players who are thriving despite having fifth-year options declined

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 13: Offensive tackle Garett Bolles #72 of the Denver Broncos blocks linebacker Reggie Gilbert #93 of the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on October 13, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

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4 NFL players who are thriving despite having fifth-year options declined

Linebacker Haason Reddick #48 of the Arizona Cardinals (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

3. Haason Reddick, LB, Arizona Cardinals

It wasn’t surprising that the Arizona Cardinals didn’t offer Haason Reddick his fifth-year option, as the product out of Temple had produced just seven and a half sacks through the first three years of his career. Arizona took Reddick with the No. 13 pick in the hopes that he could truly disrupt the passer and they weren’t seeing it early on.

In 2020, however, Reddick is setting himself up for a big contract, whether it’s with the team who drafted him or elsewhere. He’s recorded 12.5 sacks this year, which is more than he had in his first three years combined. Five of those sacks came in one game, as Reddick made Daniel Jones’ day a living hell when the Cardinals and Giants squared off.

This is the kind of player the Cardinals were expecting when they used the No. 13 selection on him and now he’s starting to show how dominant he can be. Injuries have also been an issue, but if the Cardinals aren’t willing to bring him back for 2021 and beyond, another team gladly will give Reddick the opportunity to feast on opposing quarterbacks.

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