Haason Reddick is the pending free agent defender who has drawn the most attention for the Jets recently. Another player who fits that description is cornerback D.J. Reed, although he is not in danger of missing training camp or regular season action. 
The latter joined New York on a three-year, $33MM deal in 2022. That pact has proven to be a sound investment on the team’s part given the way Reed has worked in tandem with Sauce Gardner over their two seasons together. The former Seahawk is due $11MM in 2024 with a cap hit of $15.64MM.
Working out an extension would likely lower that figure while ensuring the Gardner-Reed tandem remains in place beyond 2024. As Reed said when addressing the media, however, no talks on an extension have taken place to this point (h/t ESPN’s Rich Cimini). He therefore remains on track to play out the coming season as a walk year.
“I signed a three-year deal, so I expect to play three years here and go into free agency,” Reed said, via Brian Costello of the New York Post. “I do love New York. I love playing here. I love the coaches, love the organization. [Owner] Woody [Johnson] took care of me last time.”
Reed split his first four NFL seasons evenly between the 49ers and Seahawks, starting 24 games across that span. The 27-year-old had a strong contract year in 2021 (two interceptions, 10 pass deflections) before leaving the NFC West for the first time in his career. He has remained a full-time starter in New York, posting consistent seasons in terms of ball production while adding strong play in coverage.
That has yielded steady PFF evaluations; Reed has ranked between eighth and 23rd amongst qualified corners in the past four years. 2024 should see him continue to deliver solid performances in the Jets’ secondary, a unit which also has Michael Carter II looming as an extension candidate. Especially with Gardner eligible for a monster re-up as early as next offseason, keeping Reed in the fold could be challenging. Much will depend on how New York proceeds at the cornerback spot from a financial perspective over the short-term future.
“The ball is in the Jets’ court,” the Kansas State product added. ““I love being here, but I’m not really stressing about it. I’m here. I’m going to be here in training camp. I signed a three-year deal here, so I expect to play my three years out and go from there.”
Dude has done everything he possibly could to earn it. He’s played great, even as teams have avoided Sauce more, and by all accounts a great guy, too. I’d be happy to see them keep that CB tandem together until he’s 30.