“Whatever happens, I’m going to be happy, I’m going to give my all no matter what because that’s just who I am as a person. No matter how it goes, how many years, I’m going to be here for however long I’m here for and I’m going to give the team, the fans, everything that I have.”
That was Haason Reddick at his introductory press conference after the New York Jets traded for him in March. He met defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, head coach Robert Saleh and cornerback Sauce Gardner, among others, in what was his first day at the Jets facility.
It was also, to this point, his last day at the Jets facility.
Can Haason Reddick make this @nyjets defense the best in the league? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/qVM3IjyLoT
— NFL (@NFL) April 2, 2024
Clearly, Reddick was not always “going to be happy.” He skipped voluntary workouts, mandatory minicamp and, as of Monday, had yet to report for training camp, making it 21 days of mandatory $50,000 daily fines.
It does not appear Reddick will be reporting to his new team anytime soon either; on Monday, he formally requested a trade, as reported by The Athletic. Shortly after, Jets general manager Joe Douglas released a statement emphasizing Reddick will not be traded.
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This was an ugly situation from the start, and it isn’t get prettier until — or unless — Reddick reports (and even then it might not improve much). Ultimately, the saga reflects poorly on everyone involved, player and organization, creating an unneeded distraction for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
All of a sudden the Jets are in a situation that seems unfathomable, one that feels unique in at least recent NFL history. Consider the circumstances:
• Reddick was disgruntled in Philadelphia and wanted a new contract. The Eagles were not willing to pay Reddick what he desired (in the range of $25 million per year) so they let him talk with other teams about a trade. The Jets were one of those teams — and Douglas was led to believe that Reddick would be willing to report without a new deal and the two sides would figure something out (either an extension, a raise, a restructure or all of the above) later. The Jets did offer Reddick an extension prior to the trade, but it was below market value and Reddick rejected it.
• On April 1, Reddick reported to the Jets for his introductory press conference.
• Then he skipped workouts OTAs and minicamp, without communicating with Jets coaches or his teammates. At the end of minicamp Saleh called Reddick “a great dude” and said “he’s the last guy I’m worried about.”
• When Reddick didn’t report for training camp, Saleh said “it is what it is”, and that “we have 89 other guys we have to prepare” and that “I’m not overly concerned.”
• Saleh was last asked about Reddick on Monday, Aug. 5. “I guess it doesn’t matter what I thought at the time” Saleh said of the trade. “The reality is he’s not here, but there are, like I said, there are a bunch of guys who are working their tails off.”
Reddick requesting a trade on Monday was a curveball, even if the jets have no intention of actually trading him. If Reddick’s absence extends into the regular season, he’d start losing game checks. If it goes deep into the season, his contract would toll to 2025 and they’d maintain his rights next year, keeping him from free agency and stuck with the Jets until they release or trade him on their own accord. But that’s the worst case scenario.
Part of the current reality is that the Jets hold leverage, as Reddick hemorrhages money via training camp fines. He also forfeited a $250,000 workout bonus and $100,000 for skipping minicamp. The Jets have the ability to levy their own discretionary fines, as per the CBA, ranging upwards of $300,000, though it’s unclear if they will or have done that yet.
Also reality: The Jets need him. Reddick is a crucial piece of their defense, even without ever having played a snap in a Jets uniform (or ever having practiced in one either). That’s what happens when a team lets a high-level, homegrown pass rusher (Bryce Huff) leave in free agency, and when they trade a reliable veteran (John Franklin-Myers) for peanuts in order to clear some cap space.
It’s hard to blame them for making the move to get Reddick, even with the contract situation looming, and even if a case could be made they should’ve just re-signed Huff. In terms of not only NFL experience but production, Huff hasn’t sniffed Reddick’s level. Over the last four seasons Reddick has 50.5 sacks, the fourth-most in the NFL during that span, and he finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting two years ago with the Eagles. That’s why Reddick wants a raise on his non-guaranteed $14.25 million base salary, which puts him 19th among edge rushers for 2024. He believes he deserves a contract in the same company as the likes of Myles Garrett ($25 million per year), but the Jets aren’t willing to even broach that conversation until Reddick not only reports, but proves he deserves it.
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Tyron Smith is the Jets’ left tackle — and his teammates still can’t believe it
The Jets went all-in on Reddick upgrading their pass rush. In his absence, they have (and will) lean on 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald, who has shown flashes this summer but barely played as a rookie (three sacks, 184 defensive snaps) and still has a lot to prove as a three-down player. If Reddick is around, the Jets can use McDonald in a Huff-esque role as a sub-package pass rusher, which is probably his best role. The other player getting starters snaps with Reddick out is Micheal Clemons, who hasn’t shown much as a pass rusher in two NFL seasons.
The Jets need Reddick, but Reddick also needs them, even if he doesn’t think so at the moment. Something to keep in mind: Reddick didn’t quite have the market he hoped for when he began seeking a trade in March. There were multiple teams scared off by his asking price, which is why the Jets were able to get him for the affordable price of a 2026 third-round pick. It was a risk for the team, and it hasn’t worked out yet.
All will be forgiven if Reddick reports and, come the regular season, produces. No one — teammates, coaches, even fans — will care how many practices he skipped if he collects sacks when the game count.
But it’s been more than four months since Reddick became a Jet, and he’s yet to participate on the field in any way. That’s bad for everyone.
(Top photo: John Jones / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
