New Team, New Chapter: What Reddick’s Redemption Could Mean for Leaders Everywhere
- Curtis Campogni
- Apr 6
- 5 min read
Brought to you by Speak4MC and the Bucs Report: Your #1 Source for Monday Quarterback Motivation
📌 “You can learn from it. But you don’t have to live in it.”
That was the theme running through my mind the moment Maggie crossed her arms at her second Tee Ball practice and declared:
“I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to be on the team.”
There is a universe where that moment stuck, where one bad day turned into her walking away. Where that one sentence became her story.
But that’s not what happened.
Now? She chants “Tee ball! Tee ball!” in the car like she’s walking into the World Series.
That second practice didn’t define her.
And if you’ve been paying attention to the offseason headlines, there’s a grown-up version of that story playing out right now in Tampa Bay — and his name is Haason Reddick.
The Haason Reddick Rollercoaster
For four straight years — from 2020 to 2023 — Haason Reddick was one of the most dominant pass rushers in football:
12.5 sacks with the Cardinals in 2020
11 sacks with the Panthers in 2021
16 sacks and a Super Bowl run with the Eagles in 2022
11 more sacks in 2023, earning his second straight Pro Bowl
But then came 2024.
Traded from Philly to the Jets. Sat out for a new contract. Missed the first half of the season. Only one sack in ten games.
And just like that, the narrative shifted. From “elite pass rusher” to “is he still that guy?”
Why the Bucs Took the Shot
Head Coach Todd Bowles didn’t hesitate.
“I would consider last season a wash for him, and we expect him to be his old self with us.”
Bowles knows what Reddick can be — and so does Bucs assistant Larry Foote, who’s worked closely with him before. They believe last year was a detour, not a decline. They’re not ignoring the past… they’re just not living in it.
Which is exactly what this team needs.
Because while the Bucs finished with 46 sacks in 2024 (11th in the NFL), they also finished 29th in pass defense.
They blitzed because they had to. Not because they wanted to.
What Reddick’s Role Will Look Like in Tampa
This isn’t just a redemption arc. It’s a chance to reshape the identity of our defense.
With Haason Reddick joining the lineup, the Bucs’ front four is suddenly looking a lot more dangerous.
Picture this: Reddick and YaYa Diaby coming off the edges, with Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey clogging up the middle. That’s a combination of power, speed, and explosiveness that can cause real problems for opposing quarterbacks.
And here’s why that matters—especially to guys like Antoine Winfield Jr.
Last season, the Bucs had to bring pressure from everywhere just to get to the quarterback. That left the secondary stretched thin and vulnerable to big plays. But if this revamped front four can collapse the pocket on their own, it gives Winfield more freedom to roam, read the quarterback, and make game-changing plays.
Haason Reddick doesn’t just give us a pass rusher. He gives this defense a chance to play faster, smarter, and more confidently across the board.
What This Means for Leaders Off the Field
Have you ever worked in a toxic work culture? Or been surrounded by team members who are stuck in the past—always ready to explain why things will never change?
It’s one of the most frustrating environments to be in. Not because people don’t care—but because they’ve stopped believing. You spend more time trying to convince people that change is possible than actually seeing it happen.
And if you’re in a leadership role, here’s the truth:
Your job is to prove it through your actions, to remain optimistic even when the room isn’t, and to model the mindset you hope others will adopt.
Just like the Bucs are doing with Haason Reddick.
They didn’t sign him based on his worst season. They signed him based on who he’s capable of becoming again.
So the question becomes: What would it look like for you to lead a turnaround in your own space?
Here are three ways leaders can rebuild culture after a “bad season”:
✅ 1. Acknowledge the past—but don’t live in it. Be honest about what went wrong, but don’t make it the centerpiece. Own it. Learn from it. Then shift the focus to where you're headed.
✅ 2. Lead with consistency, not just charisma. Flashy speeches don’t rebuild trust—follow-through does. Keep your word. Show up. Set the tone through repetition, not reaction.
✅ 3. Celebrate early progress. When things finally start to shift, highlight it. Catch people doing things right. Small wins turn into big momentum when you recognize them out loud.
Reddick’s story reminds us: no one gets to rewrite the past. But every leader has a shot at reshaping the future.
A Final Reminder: From Dugouts to Comebacks
After that second Tee Ball practice, Maggie had every reason to quit. It was overwhelming. It didn’t feel fun yet. She didn’t know if she belonged.
But we didn’t panic. We didn’t label her. We just showed up to the next practice.
Now? She’s one of the first to run out on the field. She chants “Tee ball!” in the car. She cheers for her teammates. And—believe it or not—she even agreed with our rule that her room has to be clean before every game if she wants to go.
Now that’s change. 😂
And every time I watch her step onto that field, I can’t help but think—What if we gave adults the same grace to grow? What if we stopped writing people off after one rough season?
Haason Reddick hasn’t bounced back—yet. But the opportunity is there. The need is clear. And the belief in him is strong.
From Maggie’s dugout to the Bucs’ locker room to your workplace leadership team...
The lesson is simple: You can learn from your past. But you don’t have to live in it.
Here’s to fresh starts, redemption stories, and people who choose to keep showing up.
🏴☠️ Go Bucs.
About the Author
Curtis Campogni is the founder of Speak4MC, a motivational speaking and training organization dedicated to inspiring growth and change. Curtis is a lifelong Bucs fan, husband, and father. Learn more at Speak4MC.com
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not represent any other individual, organization, or company. This content is intended for general knowledge and to highlight tools, techniques, and ideas that inspire positive change. Readers are encouraged to explore the topics further and form their own conclusions. This article was originally published on Speak4MC.com and is shared in collaboration with Bucs Report. The views expressed are solely those of the author.
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