Qualifying the second-most discussed no-show at Jets minicamp, Haason Reddick is still not seeing eye-to-eye with his new team. While Aaron Rodgers‘ absence last week garnered more attention, Reddick’s situation remains the lead item for a Jets team that gave up a third-round pick for the Pro Bowl edge rusher earlier this offseason.
Reddick is seeking a new contract, and while the Jets are open to taking this route, this does not appear the way the team wants to resolve this situation. It should be considered highly unlikely the Jets extend Reddick before the season, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello, who does not see any situation in which the team caves on this front this summer.
A report last week from ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini alluded to Jets GM Joe Douglas being hesitant to do extensions for players 29 and older or immediately extending recently acquired talent. Reddick, who will turn 30 in September, checks both boxes. While teams regularly have extensions ready for high-end players acquired via trade, the Jets are clearly aiming to avoid this with Reddick.
The team may not strictly view the former Cardinals, Panthers and Eagles edge rusher as a pure rental, but its actions thus far do not paint a picture of a club eager to extend this partnership beyond 2024. This differs from the paths the Giants (Brian Burns), Bears (Montez Sweat) and Dolphins (Bradley Chubb) took upon acquiring impact edge rushers via trade. Immediate extensions were authorized. Though, each player was at least two years younger than Reddick at the time those deals were finalized.
The Jets passed on paying Bryce Huff in free agency, but the team has bigger plans for Reddick — whom it views as a three-down player. The Eagles and Jets effectively swapped Huff and Reddick, though the latter is holding its new edge defender to his Philly contract (three years, $45MM) despite the Pro Bowler’s 50.5 sacks — with 13 forced fumbles mixed in — during the 2020s ranking fourth in the NFL. It will be interesting if Reddick attempts to further test the Jets by staging a holdout or if he shows up to training camp and does not practice, the new hold-in strategy.
Despite this unusual situation, Costello adds the sides are optimistic a resolution will emerge before training camp. Robert Saleh mentioned a conversation with the team’s new sack artist recently, and Costello indicates this situation differs from the bitter Jamal Adams contract talks that eventually produced a trade. Still, this is not exactly a good look for a Jets team that traded a Day 2 pick for a two-time Pro Bowler.
New York also unloaded dependable starter John Franklin-Myers to make room for Reddick’s contract, which sits tied for 19th among edges presently. Reddick will be expected to play the lead role in a group housing recent first-rounders Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald. An incentive package that allows the team to avoid an extension may well be the way the sides finish this chapter. Should that happen, Reddick will be headed toward free agency in 2025.
Although the Jets would have exclusive negotiating rights with Reddick until next March’s legal tampering period, their present stance does not point to an about-face regarding an extension. Reddick entering this season without a new deal will present him as a rental piece, with a route to a fifth team more likely than not to emerge come 2025.
Jets have to lock up Garrett Wilson, Sauce, Jermaine Johnson & Breece Hall soon. They need to be careful not to commit too much money to other players until that is done. Incentives for Reddick is the way to go!
More immediately next offseason, they’ll need to re-sign or replace Reed, Mike Williams, and at least one tackle unless they’re really confident Warren can start, in addition to planning for the guys you mentioned. They’ll have a good bit of money next offseason, but they’ll have work to do.
Hopefully Fashanu will be ready to go next season.
Yep. I would think so. But Moses is also a pending free agent.
My hope is that one of Smith or Moses play well enough next season to re-sign while plugging in Olu at the other spot, but I agree that they need to be prepared for this not happening.
Right. It’s also a question of needing to do *something*, even if it’s re-signing Moses, which will presumably cost more money than he’s costing them now. Same with Reed.
Calling it now: 4-13. Feels too much like SOJ vibes already
You think the Jets are going to go 4-13 with that defense? They didn’t even do that badly with Zach Wilson and Trevor Siemian.
The sportbooks have the Jets projected for 9.5 wins which seems very attainable if anything resembling an offense can be found.
You’re joking, right?
Agree. Tops 5 wins. Jets are one of worst teams in football
The Jets are known for frequently renting players. The Eagles anticipated potential issues and decided to trade him before any problems arose. They made a smart move by getting rid of him and receiving a 2nd round pick in return.
They received a 3rd round pick, not a 2nd.