As the Haason Reddick holdout from the New York Jets continues, more and more reports indicate he will never play a down for the Jets. NFL executives believe the Jets will end up trading him.
This holdout has been puzzling to observers for many reasons. He keeps losing money. If he doesn’t play, his contract will toll, keeping him under the Jets’ control. Even if the Jets ultimately trade him, he cannot make up the money he lost via a large extension. The only explanation for Reddick’s stance seems to be pride and perhaps punishing Joe Douglas for a lowball offer.
However, some new insight about the situation may have come from a Philadelphia reporter. Tyrone Johnson, an analyst on NBC Sports Philly and radio show host on 97.5 The Fanatic, said on his show that there have been some “whispers” that a few teams were willing to pay Reddick what he wanted. The Eagles ultimately traded Reddick to the Jets because they offered the best compensation package (a 2026 conditional third-round pick).
This comment from Johnson is unverified. It could merely be speculation from him or those putting out the whispers. But if true, it can explain exactly what Reddick is thinking.
If other teams were willing to pay Reddick what he wanted before his trade to the Jets, they may still be willing to pay him now. Therefore, if he forces a trade out of New York, he could receive the money he wants (on a prorated basis). That would potentially recoup the money he lost so far this year while also securing his future. The fact that the Jets gave the Eagles the best trade value is not his concern.
Furthermore, if this does occur — the Jets trade Reddick to a team that will pay him what he wants — it makes Joe Douglas’ trade look that much worse. If the Jets knew other teams were willing to pay Reddick, acquired him at a higher price than those other teams, and then refused to pay him, what did they think would happen?
The Jets traded away John Franklin-Myers for a pittance after acquiring Reddick. Franklin-Myers’ cap hit would have been only $2 million more than Reddick’s in 2024. He is not the finisher Reddick is (just 19.5 career sacks), but they didn’t have a contract dispute with him. Apparently, the Jets lowballed both players after the Reddick trade. Now they may end up with neither player on their roster in an all-in season.
This season is already a make-or-break year for Douglas. He is in the final year of his contract, and Woody Johnson did not give him an extension. He is essentially a lame-duck general manager. The bungling of the Reddick situation could be the nail in his coffin if the Jets do not succeed this season.
