Not quite approaching Brandon Aiyuk-level rumor volume this summer, the Haason Reddick-Jets impasse has nevertheless generated plenty of headlines. Today’s is the most significant, with the March trade acquisition asking to be dealt again.
Viewing trust as broken in this new relationship, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini confirms earlier reports the Jets offered Reddick a deal — one she classifies as “below market” — before acquiring him via trade. The Eagles had let the disgruntled edge rusher negotiate with teams before moving him. Despite Reddick turning down the offer, the Jets traded for him anyway; a tense misunderstanding has since commenced.
The Jets had expected Reddick to report for offseason work and training camp. Instead, he has not shown up since being dealt from Philly. The Jets have not negotiated with Reddick since making that initial offer, and Russini notes Reddick was under the impression the team would circle back to a new deal. Reddick has registered the fourth-most sacks during the 2020s (50.5) but is the NFL’s 19th-highest-paid edge rusher.
This remains a strange look for the Jets, who traded for another team’s problem in hopes he could be a centerpiece pass rusher in the team they did not view Bryce Huff. With the latter now on the Eagles, the Jets were/are prepared to give Reddick a regular role — as opposed to the pass-rushing specialist box Huff checked during a promising contract year. These plans are on hold, and NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo wonders indeed if this standoff could reach the regular season.
Already costing himself $1.8MM through holdouts, Reddick would be set to miss out on game checks worth just more than $838K if he extends the holdout into the regular season. Chris Jones was willing to miss out on more money per game last season, but he and the Chiefs — after a Week 1 home loss to the Lions featured the future Hall of Famer sitting in an Arrowhead Stadium suite — worked out an incentive package that brought him back in for Week 2. The Jets have been willing to discuss sweeteners for Reddick, but SNY’s Connor Hughes indicates they will not entertain any contract adjustment for a player who has not shown up. Thus, the latest chapter in this stalemate.
Upon being traded, Reddick made comments suggesting he was moving forward with the Jets. But nothing since has brought positive updates from this situation. The Jets are not preparing to accommodate Reddick’s trade request, but for now, they are set to be down Huff and the player obtained — for a conditional third-round pick — to replace him. Although the Jets have two recent first-round D-ends (Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald), their pass rush certainly would present more issues for opponents if Reddick and the team were on the same page.
It is interesting that in a do-or-die year for Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas that such a showdown developed, but here we are. Reddick, 29, has already earned more than $51MM in his career. He is tied to a three-year, $45MM Eagles-built contract — one he has outplayed. Less accomplished edge rushers like Josh Hines-Allen and ex-teammate Brian Burns signed contracts north of $28MM per year this offseason. Reddick has sought a deal in that range, but the Jets have not come close to that price point. They are willing to consider an extension in-season, Hughes adds, but the wheels are coming off before Reddick has played a down in New York.
The eighth-year sack artist appears willing to test the Jets’ resolve. The Jets have appeared ready to do the same. If Reddick does eventually join his new team, no new deal being part of that equation would set up a rather acrimonious partnership during the season.
