What's next for Jets, Haason Reddick following edge rusher's trade request

Haason Reddick formally requested a trade from the Jets on Monday. The Jets responded by publicly and privately telling him they will not trade him.

It’s officially ugly.

And there’s a good chance it only gets worse.

Leverage is king in situations like this. The Jets, despite what some continue to say, have it. There is no rush internally for them to get anything done with their disgruntled pass rusher. They are undeniably better with him -- any team would be with a player who’s tallied double-digit sacks each of the last four years -- but, at the moment, he’s a luxury.

Without Reddick, the Jets defensive line still consists of two players they drafted in the first round at defensive end (Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald), an all-pro defensive tackle (Quinnen Williams), and a player they prioritized signing in free agency (Javon Kinlaw). They added Reddick after free agency and after the draft at a price (conditional third-round pick in 2026) that became too good not to pull the trigger. At no point was Reddick a necessity. This defense already figured to be one of the best in the league. Now, they’d simply be better.

That’s still where things stand: The Jets would love to have Reddick, but they don’t necessarily need him. That leverage does not shift until the former and latter flip. If the Jets lose to the 49ers in the opener in large part because McDonald is pushed around, Johnson is double-teamed and they can’t get to Brock Purdy? If the Titans have similar success keeping Will Levis upright? Then, yes, Reddick gains negotiating power. The Jets will have to bend. But, until then, they are simply waiting for him decide to end his holdout.

In the meantime, the Jets will not trade Reddick and will continue to fine him every day he misses. Reddick already forgoed a $250,000 workout bonus and received a $100,000 fine for skipping minicamp. He’s been absent the first 21 days of training camp. That totals an additional $1.05 million ($50,000 per day) in fines. He is subject to a $300,000 fine because he missed the first five days of camp. While that fine is team discretionary, all indications are the Jets will issue it. If Reddick continues to hold out throughout the regular season, the Jets will retain his rights for 2025 as his contract tolls.

The Jets are not deserving of the benefit of the doubt. It does feel like they’re the only team that would trade for a player who then asks to be traded from them months later. Same-old-Jets headlines won’t force general manager Joe Douglas to do something he very clearly does not have to do, though. The biggest downside of the Reddick trade is that in order to fit him under the cap they needed to trade John Franklin-Myers, a valuable player both on and off the field, to the Broncos.

In hindsight, the Jets are probably better off with Franklin-Myers than they are with a headache and Reddick.

It is somewhat stunning that this is where things currently stand. Reddick’s desire for a new contract is not new. He let the Eagles know he wanted a deal worth $25-$28 million annually. Philly’s executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman wasn’t willing to do that -- nor was any other team (or else Reddick would be playing for them right now) -- so he landed on the trade block.

The Eagles gave the Jets permission to speak to Reddick and his representation before the trade – commonplace in the NFL when attempting to acquire a player seeking a new deal. The Jets made Reddick a contract offer (a raise on his $14.5 million unguaranteed base for this season, but well below the $25-$28 million he wanted). Reddick denied it. The Jets told him if he wanted more than their offer he needed to perform for them in the regular season. They then could get back to negotiating. They did not rule out an in-season extension, similar to when they re-signed Franklin-Myers in October 2021. They could discuss an adjustment to his current deal: Convert non-guaranteed to guaranteed, add in incentives based on on-field performance. Even that, though, would not be signed until he showed a commitment to the organization (show up).

Reddick’s representation told the Jets that would work -- he would play for them on his current deal. Reddick himself, when he reported to the facility to take his physical and complete the trade, told multiple coaches he would be there for the offseason program (voluntary), minicamp and training camp.

He has not been in the facility since that day.

The Jets are steadfast in their stance: They will not cater to a player who has not yet played for them. Cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Michael Carter, two well-respected leaders within the locker room, want new contracts. Neither is holding out. The Jets realize the message it would send to the rest of the locker room if they extend Reddick, but not them. So they won’t do it. They’ve made this very clear.

So, the ball is in Reddick’s court. Whenever he wants to report the Jets will be waiting with open arms. They’ll have a role for him, too, when he does. They want him to be a valuable asset in what they hope is a Super Bowl season.

But if a new contract is all that will get him to Florham Park?

That’s just not happening.