The Associated Press named three finalists for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but left out a prime candidate: Eagles LB Haason Reddick.
San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa, Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons and Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones are finalists for the award.
Bosa led the league with 18.5 sacks. Parsons had 13.5 and Jones logged 15.5, a shocking number for a defensive tackle. All had great seasons, but Reddick belonged as a finalist, too.
In 2022, the Temple alum had 49 tackles, 16 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Asked about the award before the playoffs, Reddick told The Athletic: “I can’t go out there and decide that award for myself. There’s factors that have to play a part. Whether they show a blind eye to what I’ve been doing or if they want to give recognition, that’s up to them at the end of the day. The people who know, they know.”
The award is voted on by the media.
Led by Reddick, the Eagles’ defense had a league-leading 70 sacks, third all time behind only the 1984 Bears and 1989 Minnesota Vikings.
The Eagles also became the first team in NFL history to have four players record 10 sacks or more in a season, Iggles.com reported.
Reddick, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and defensive ends Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat each finished the regular season with 10 sacks or more. Reddick was the unquestioned leader of this unit.
He tied for first in forced fumbles and finished second in sacks across the NFL, per ESPN.
Reddick won’t win the DPOY, but he can help lead the Eagles past Bosa and the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday in Philadelphia.
