What’s Behind Haason Reddick’s Holdout with the New York Jets, and Its Financial Implications?
The New York Jets are eager to compete in the AFC now that Aaron Rodgers is healthy and ready to lead the team.
However, as they gear up for their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, they will be without a crucial player they hoped would enhance their defensive lineup. Haason Reddick, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, has been holding out since the Jets acquired him in March, missing all mandatory offseason activities, including training camp.
The Jets were counting on Reddick to strengthen their pass rush after losing edge rusher Bryce Huff in free agency. Last season, New York’s pass rush ranked fifth in the NFL in sacks per pass attempt (9.2%), and Reddick, 29, earned back-to-back Pro Bowl honors while playing for the Eagles. Over the past four seasons, he has tallied 50.5 sacks, with 16 sacks in 2022, which placed him second in the NFL.
Here’s what you need to know about Haason Reddick’s holdout from the New York Jets:
Reasons Behind Haason Reddick’s Holdout
His holdout stems from a search for a long-term contract, which dates back to his final days in Philadelphia. In 2022, the Eagles signed Reddick to a three-year, $45 million deal, which quickly became a steal as he delivered outstanding performances on the field. He was named a second-team All-Pro in the first year after finishing with 16 sacks.
Reddick had hoped to renegotiate his contract with the Eagles, but they allowed him to pursue a trade in February. It was anticipated that Reddick would aim for a long-term deal with any new team that acquired him. He is entering the last year of his contract, which would provide him a base salary of $14.25 million, according to Spotrac.com.
In comparison, the average annual salary of his current contract ranks tied for 19th among edge rushers, trailing players like Alex Highsmith (Steelers; 29.5 sacks over the last four seasons), Bryce Huff (Eagles; 17.5), Harold Landry (Titans; 28, who missed the entire 2022 season), and Jonathan Greenard (Vikings; 23).
After the Jets traded for Reddick, he attended a press event at the team facility on April 1, where he expressed hope about joining the squad. However, he has not returned to the facilities in Florham Park, N.J., since then.
“All options are open,” Reddick mentioned at the time when asked if he might play out the last year of his contract. “Currently, I’m focused on being here, meeting everyone. The contractual matters are something I’m delegating to my agent and GM Joe Douglas.”
“Regardless of how the situation unfolds, I’ll give my all. That’s simply my nature. I’m committed to this team and its fans for however long I am here.”
In August, just four months after the trade, Reddick requested a trade from the Jets, but the team stated they would not accommodate this request.
Financial Implications of Haason Reddick’s Holdout
As reported by The Athletic, Reddick stands to lose $791,666 for every game he misses due to his holdout. With him not being listed as an active player on the Jets’ roster for Week 1, his contract will no longer be guaranteed. This amount is in addition to over $5 million in fines he’s already accrued for skipping training camp, according to ESPN. Since Reddick isn’t on a rookie contract, the fines for his absences during training camp cannot be waived and are mandated by the NFL.
The Jets’ Response to Haason Reddick’s Holdout
Mostly, the Jets maintain that they will be supportive of Reddick if he chooses to report back to the team.
“I firmly believe that when he arrives, we will embrace him,” Jets coach Robert Saleh stated during a Saturday press conference. “We’ll warmly welcome him, and he will be an integral part of our team, helping us to secure victories. He needs to handle his financial matters, which are outside my concern.”
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams added in July: “I prefer to stay out of these discussions, but I know he is an incredible player and person. This organization has a strong track record of resolving such issues promptly. He’s a phenomenal player, and his presence on the field changes everything.”
What Did the Jets Trade for Haason Reddick?
In the March trade that brought Reddick to the Jets, New York surrendered a third-round pick in the 2026 draft, which could convert to a second-round pick if Reddick meets certain performance criteria, specifically playing at least 67.5% of the snaps this season and accumulating 10 or more sacks.