Not long ago, the status of Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams for Week 1 was uncertain due to contract disputes, but the 49ers will have all of their stars on the field for Monday Night Football.
The Jets can’t say the same.
New York’s defense will be without a key piece in pass-rusher Haason Reddick on Monday, leaving the Jets much more uncertain on the edge than they’d like against Williams.
The Jets’ acquisition of Reddick was designed to counter the departure of Bryce Huff, whose arrival in Philadelphia ironically made Reddick expendable for the Eagles. While New York envisioned a dynamic duo of Reddick and Jermaine Johnson II on the edge this season, the veteran will be nowhere near the field in Week 1.
Here’s what you need to know about Reddick’s absence and when he could return for the Jets.
Where is Haason Reddick?
Reddick spent the entire summer away from the practice field as he demanded a new contract from the Jets. He even requested another trade in early August, but the organization released a statement saying the veteran pass rusher wasn’t going anywhere.
“We informed Haason that we would not trade him,” general manager Joe Douglas said after the request.
While many NFL contract rejections and refusals have resulted in new deals this summer, Reddick’s situation doesn’t appear to be resolved any time soon. Douglas insists contract negotiations won’t resume until Reddick is out, and there’s no indication the 29-year-old is ready to give in anytime soon.
Reddick has already accumulated more than $5 million in fines and forfeitures because of the hold-out.
The Jets held an introductory press conference with Reddick in April, and New York reportedly told him at the time that the franchise preferred to discuss a new contract during the season or after it. In short, all indications are that the Jets wanted to see Reddick on the field before committing long-term.
Reddick reportedly requested a trade from Philadelphia in February, but he quickly denied the rumors. “At no point did I tell the organization that I wanted to be traded,” he said. Reddick told Bleacher Report.
Reddick nonetheless admitted he was looking for a new contract and said he “would like to get an extension here at home.” The Eagles balked, instead sending him to the Jets a few weeks later.
The Jets thought they wouldn’t have to deal with Reddick’s contract right away. Whether that belief was wrong all along or Reddick has changed his mind, New York is now without a big-name acquisition for an indefinite period of time.
Haason Reddick Trade Details
The Jets receive
Eagles receive
- Conditional 3rd round pick in 2026
The Jets sent the Eagles a conditional 2026 third-round pick for Reddick that can become a second-round pick if Reddick plays more than 67.5 percent of defensive snaps and records at least 10 sacks. At this rate, it doesn’t seem likely that pick slides all the way to the second round.
It’s the only bright spot for the Jets right now, who have real passing questions after losing Huff and John Franklin-Myers in the offseason.
Johnson took a step forward in 2023, and DT Quinnen Williams proved he could get to the quarterback. As long as Reddick is out, though, Micheal Clemons should start opposite Johnson despite just one career start and three sacks in two seasons.
Will McDonald IV and journeyman Takkarist McKinley are also options, making a breakout season from McDonald crucial if Reddick’s absence extends into the remainder of the season.
The Eagles were criticized by some for the seemingly lightweight return of Reddick, who had 27 sacks in two seasons in Philadelphia, but Howie Roseman now appears to have made a wise decision with two teams declining the pass-rusher’s contract demands.
Haason Reddick Contract
The Jets were willing to accept the remaining $14.5 million of Reddick’s three-year, $45 million contract, according to NFL Network. Mike Garafolo reported after the exchange.
However, as long as Reddick is away from the team, he risks losing game controls.
Reddick has already lost more than $5 million from missing training camp, and he’ll lose just under $800,000 for every game he misses from now on.
It was an expensive summer for “#Jets“LB Haason Reddick.
Fines/confiscations ($5.07M)
Minicamp: $101,716
Training camp: $2,050,000
Pre-season: $2,375,000
Training bonus: $250,000
Discretionary fine: $300,000He will lose an additional $791,666 per regular season week…
— Spotrac (@spotrac) September 5, 2024
Reddick is clearly not happy about playing out the final year of his contract and becoming a free agent, despite the fact that a good year would net him a hefty payday, with the entire league able to bid for his services if he hits the open market.
Reddick would rather avoid the risk and get the contract he feels he deserves, and the Jets continue to make it clear they won’t entertain the idea until they see him back in the facility.
