Kevin Lidlow @klidlow65
Image source from NFL.com
All-pro edge rusher Haason Reddick has requested yet another trade, this time it’s with the New York Jets. Reddick, who was acquired by the Jets via trade from the Eagles back in April, was looking for a long term contract and potentially more money but the Eagles were not willing to pay. When he came to the Jets, he was under the impression that they were going to sign him to a long term deal and the Jets were to believe that both parties were on the same page. Fast forward to August 12th and Reddick who has yet to show up to any team activities, has now requested a trade out of New York. A situation that easily could’ve been avoided, has now turned into an ugly affair that is in favor of the Jets.
The Jets made a deal with the Eagles after they failed to sign Bryce Huff during the free agency period for the all-pro edge rusher to fill the gap. Reddick at the time had also requested a trade due to the fact that the eagles weren’t willing to sign him to a long term deal, so whoever was going to acquire him knew that they had to give him a new contract. Rightfully so, Reddick has deserved it due to him coming off a 15 sack season, but more so he has been consistently good throughout his career. So when the Jets swooped in both the eagles and Haason came to the agreement that he will be going to Florham Park, since Reddick had a say in where he wanted to go. Everything seemed like it was going to be an easy transaction, or so we thought.
The plan was that the Jets were going to let Hassan play out his current contract but also offer more incentives, which will allow him to make more money this season. His current contract would cost the team $14.5 base salary and with his incentives, it would be a total of $19.5. Then towards the end of the year they will look to extend him pending on how he performs, which seems like a reasonable deal. At first they had come to an agreement that was going to be the situation, then Hassan started to hold out of minicamp and OTAs. No one knew that was going to happen, thus the Jets being blind sided by this.
Most of the media have criticized the Jets for not knowing, but when you have initially come to an agreement. You can’t fault the team for not knowing when the player hasn’t communicated to them. Pretty soon the minicamp holdout turned to training camp and Reddick is going on 20+ days without showing up. It seems that someone has gotten into his ear, whether his agent or his family but now it looks like Reddick will not show up unless a long term deal is made. So now both parties are at an impasse because the Jets won’t extend him until he shows up and reddick won’t show up unless a deal is done.
Which is why Reddick has requested a trade from the New York Jets. However the Jets had later come out saying that they will not honor his request, a smart decision by them. Even though a new deal has not been made, Reddick is still under contract until this year. Therefore if he decides to hold out and not play a down, the team still owns his rights going into 2025 and in turn have a high compensatory pick as well. Also while Reddick continues to hold out, he is subjected to fines every day he doesn’t show up. Which is now up to $50,000 and growing, and if he misses any games he will be losing out more incentives.
The only way Haason Reddick would have any leverage is if the Jets defensive line can’t get to Brock Purdy week 1, Then he can turn around and show how much the team needs him. Even though I believe having him would have a huge impact on the Jets defensive line, I think that they don’t need him as much as it’s believed. But the solution to Reddick’s problem is as simply as it comes, just show up.
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