With just 11 days until the New York Jets’ season opener, General Manager Joe Douglas has made it clear that the team is waiting for holdout edge rusher Haason Reddick to report before any contract discussions can proceed. Reddick, who was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, has been absent for 38 days, seeking a new contract that aligns with his performance level. The Jets, however, are standing firm on their stance: show up first, then we’ll talk.
Key Takeaways
- Haason Reddick has been holding out for 38 days, seeking a new contract.
- Jets GM Joe Douglas insists that Reddick must report before any contract discussions can take place.
- Reddick is in the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract and is seeking around $25 million per year.
- The Jets have already incurred significant fines on Reddick for his absence.
- The team is not considering a trade for Reddick despite his request.
The Standoff
Joe Douglas addressed the media for the first time regarding Reddick’s holdout, emphasizing that the team has been clear from the beginning: Reddick needs to report before any contract negotiations can occur. Douglas stated, “The ball is in their court,” and reiterated that he has not had recent conversations with Reddick or his agent, Tory Dandy. The GM also mentioned that he has not spoken to Reddick since April 1, the day Reddick visited the Jets’ facility and conducted his introductory news conference.
Financial Implications
Reddick, who turns 30 on September 22, is due to make a non-guaranteed $14.25 million in the final year of his contract. He is currently the 20th-highest-paid edge player based on yearly average and is seeking a salary commensurate with the top edge rushers, around $25 million per year. Over the past four seasons, Reddick has accumulated 50.5 sacks, the fourth-highest total in the league.
The holdout has already cost Reddick $1.8 million in mandatory training camp fines, $100,000 for skipping minicamp, and a $250,000 workout bonus. If the holdout extends into the regular season, he will lose approximately $800,000 per week in game checks.
Team Dynamics
The Jets are in a delicate position. They need to balance the demands of a star player with the overall team dynamics. Douglas emphasized that rewarding a player who has not participated in a single practice could have a ripple effect in the locker room. “I don’t have the benefit of just dealing with one person and one agent,” Douglas said. “A lot of decisions that you make reverberate through the locker room and have a ripple effect.”
On-Field Impact
Without Reddick, the Jets have been rotating Micheal Clemons and 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald IV at one defensive-end position. The team, which considers itself a Super Bowl contender, had hoped Reddick would be the final piece to an already strong defense. Despite the holdout, Coach Robert Saleh remains optimistic that Reddick could still be ready for the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
As the standoff continues, the Jets are holding firm on their stance. They are not considering a trade and are waiting for Reddick to report before any contract discussions can take place. The situation remains fluid, but one thing is clear: the ball is indeed in Haason Reddick’s court.
Sources
- Jets GM says ‘ball’ is in holdout Haason Reddick’s ‘court’ – ESPN, ESPN.
- Jets GM Joe Douglas does not regret trading for Haason Reddick: ‘We’re just awaiting his arrival’, NFL.com.
- The Haason Reddick holdout remains the Jets’ uncomfortable truth – The Athletic, The New York Times.
- What’s going on with the Jets and Haason Reddick? Joe Douglas updates, Jets Wire.
- Jets GM says ‘ball’ is in holdout Haason Reddick’s ‘court’ – ESPN, ESPN.
