The NY Jets made one of the most notable additions of the offseason when they acquired All-Pro pass rusher Haason Reddick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Reddick was expected to step in and fill the void left by the departing Bryce Huff and, in reality, be an improvement over the former standout pass rusher. That could still be the case, but Reddick's early Jets career hasn't gone how many would've hoped.
The former first-round pick remains embroiled in a contract dispute that has resulted in him holding out from not just mandatory minicamp in June but training camp in July. The Jets officially placed Reddick on the reserve/did not report list this week — a direct indication that they don't expect him back anytime soon.
This situation has, of course, dominated Jets headlines over the last month or so, which should be expected given the circumstances. The Jets traded for a star pass rusher who wanted a new contract, haven't given him said contract, and now said star pass rusher is holding out.
There's obviously more to the story than that, but that will be the outside perception many have of the situation. The good news for the Jets is that this doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, it's unlikely this situation will have a significant impact on the team's 2024 season.
The Haason Reddick holdout likely won't impact the NY Jets much in 2024
Reddick is eventually going to show up. It doesn't benefit either side for Reddick to miss a sizable chunk of training camp. It's actually surprising a deal hasn't been reached to this point.
From Reddick's perspective, it makes sense to sit out of training camp without a new contract. Reddick has no guaranteed money left on his current deal, so he has no protection in case of injury. He has no incentive to show up without a new deal.
The Jets reportedly offered Reddick a pay raise and an adjusted deal before and after he was traded in the offseason, but it seems as though the former Eagles star is holding out in hopes of a long-term extension.
Perhaps Reddick's agent believes he has more leverage now after the John Franklin-Myers trade, and while that may be partially true, it's highly unlikely the Jets are going to cave and offer a long-term deal.
This is ultimately a giant game of chicken, but it's one the Jets aren't going to lose. Reddick eventually has to play — he's not going to get paid by sitting out and missing regular-season games.
There really is only one logical solution to this situation. The Jets will re-work Reddick's contract, add guarantees and heavy incentives to 2024, and keep him under contract through this season and possibly the next. That's the only feasible outcome at this stage.
That's why the Jets likely aren't sweating it. Yes, it would be nice to have Reddick in the building as soon as possible, but they aren't going to be the ones to blink first.
And when Reddick eventually does show up, he will once again be motivated to secure a long-term deal. It's a situation he's very familiar with, having encountered it multiple times in his career already.
The bottom line is the Jets will be getting a healthy and motivated Haason Reddick whenever he finally decides to show up. He will have every incentive — both literal and figurative — in the world to perform at a high level in 2024, and that's exactly what the Jets are looking for.
The holdout storyline may be an annoying summer nuisance, but rest assured it isn't going to be an issue come September.
