Haason Reddick willing to go to extreme lengths to avoid NY Jets (REPORT)
Reddick doesn’t seem likely to give in anytime soon
By Justin Fried | 1:40 PM EDT
Haason Reddick
Haason Reddick / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
NY Jets defensive end Haason Reddick has taken his contract holdout to lengths no one really expected would be possible. The former All-Pro pass rusher is expected to miss at least one regular-season game as he awaits a contract that he isn’t going to receive.
While there was some optimism that Reddick would report to the Jets’ facility before Week 1, that seems unlikely at this time. Recent reports suggest he’s willing to drag this out well into the regular season.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on Saturday that Reddick would rather “die on this sword” than give in and report to the Jets. He’s seemingly willing to take this as far as it can go, even if it continues to cost his money and tank his value.
Reddick has officially requested a trade from the Jets in hopes of finding some team willing to give him a long-term extension. Unfortunately for Reddick, reports suggest that no team is interested in trading for him and extending him. He’s vastly overvaluing his market.
How long can Haason Reddick’s holdout from the NY Jets continue?
The Jets haven’t shown any willingness to cave, and it’s unlikely they do barring an unfortunate turn of events. An injury to one of the team’s top pass rushers might be the only leverage Reddick has at this stage.
But just how far can Reddick take this? What could possibly be his end game here?
The multi-time Pro Bowler can’t hold out for the entire 2024 season or else his contract would toll and the Jets would retain his rights in 2025. That’s not a realistic outcome.
Of course, one option would simply be to retire, but the Jets would also retain his rights in that scenario. If Reddick wants to play football again but doesn’t want to play for the Jets, he really only has one option.
Reddick can hold out until the Tuesday following Week 10. If he doesn’t report by that date, his contract would toll and he would not generate an accrued season. He will report before that date.
Reddick could also attempt to show up with an “injury” in the hopes that he’s placed on injured reserve and receives what’s known as “full pay status” for six regular-season games, per the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The issue with that is the Jets could deny his request to be placed on IR if they believe the injury is fabricated. The result could be a very messy legal battle between Reddick and the Jets that results in grievances being filed to the league’s office. But in theory, if Reddick wins his case, he could not play in every game this year.
The date to watch is the Tuesday following Week 10, which is Nov. 12. That’s the longest Reddick can continue to hold out completely tanking his career, although it should be noted that he would lose significant money and decimate his value. That’s not a smart strategy.
But Reddick and his camp haven’t been operating with the use of logic for quite some time now. His stance remains irrational and bizarre, and unfortunately for everyone involved, Reddick seems determined to stand by his word.
This could get very ugly.
