The New York Jets swung a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire star edge rusher Haason Reddick earlier this offseason, further bolstering a defense that was already elite.
Reddick also served as a replacement for Bryce Huff, who departed for the Eagles via free agency.
But apparently, the Jets have already encountered a problem with Reddick: he hasn’t shown up for any of the team’s voluntary offseason workouts, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.
Reddick has just one year left on his deal and is slated to earn $14.3 million in base salary in 2024. However, none of that money is guaranteed.
He hasn’t said that his absence is contract-related, but the general assumption is that the pass rusher is looking for a new pact.
Haason Reddick and the Jets Will Probably be Fine
Remember: the operative word here is “voluntary.”
Players are not required to show up for organized team activities. Obviously, it would be preferable if they do, but they don’t have to.
Jets mandatory minicamp begins on June 11. If Reddick is not present at that point, then New York may have a legitimate issue on its hands.
The Jets acquired Reddick for a conditional 2026 draft pick. Currently, it’s a third-rounder, but it will turn into a second-rounder if Reddick plays in 67.5 percent of Gang Green’s defensive snaps next season.
Reddick is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which he played every game and registered 38 tackles and 11 sacks en route to his second straight Pro Bowl appearance.
The 29-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Temple, was originally selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 13th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Reddick was a late bloomer, as he accumulated just 7.5 sacks over his first three seasons before breaking out with 12.5 sacks to go along with 63 tackles and six forced fumbles in 2020.
That ensuing offseason, Reddick signed with the Carolina Panthers, where he continued his impressive play by rattling off 68 stops, 11 sacks, a couple of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Reddick then proceeded to join the Eagles, and in his debut campaign in Philadelphia, he racked up 49 tackles, 16 sacks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Not only did he make his first Pro Bowl, but he was named a Second-Team All-Pro and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Hopefully, Reddick and the Jets are able to get things sorted out soon.
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