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

Haason Reddick formally requested a negotiation of the Jets on Monday. The Jets responded by telling him publicly and privately that they would not trade him.

It’s officially ugly.

And there’s a good chance it will only get worse.

Leverage is key in situations like this. The Jets, despite what some continue to say, do. There is no rush internally for them to do anything with their disgruntled pass rusher. They’re undeniably better with him — any team would be with a player who has racked up double-digit sacks in each of the last four years — but right now, he’s a luxury.

Without Reddick, the Jets’ defensive line still consists of two first-round draftees at defensive end (Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald), an all-professional defensive tackle (Quinn 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 was already one of the best in the championship. Now, they would simply be better.

That’s still the way it is: The Jets would love to have Reddick, but they don’t necessarily need him. This leverage doesn’t change until the first and last change. If the Jets lose to the 49ers in their opener, in large part because McDonald is pressured, Johnson will be double-teamed and they won’t be able to reach Brock Purdy? If the Titans have similar success in keeping Will Levis vertically? So yes, Reddick gains negotiating power. The Jets will have to bow. But until then, they are simply waiting for him to decide to end his resistance.

Meanwhile, the Jets will not trade Reddick and will continue to fine him every day he misses. Reddick already waived a $250,000 training bonus and received a $100,000 fine for missing minicamp. He was absent for the first 21 days of training camp. This amounts to an additional $1.05 million ($50,000 per day) in fines. He is subject to a $300,000 fine for missing the first five days of camp. While this fine is at the team’s discretion, it appears the Jets will issue it. If Reddick continues to hold out throughout the regular season, the Jets will retain his rights through 2025 as his contract runs out.

The Jets don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt. It seems like they are the only team that would trade for a player who asks to be traded months later. Same Jets headlines won’t force general manager Joe Douglas to do something he clearly doesn’t need to do. The biggest downside to the Reddick trade is that in order to fit him under the cap, they had to trade John Franklin-Myersa valuable player on and off the field for the Broncos.

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

It’s somewhat surprising that this is where things currently stand. Reddick’s desire for a new contract is not new. He informed the Eagles that he wanted a deal worth $25 to $28 million annually. Executive Vice President and General Manager of Philadelphia Howie Roseman wasn’t willing to do that – nor was any other team (or else Reddick would be playing for them now) – so he hit the trade block.

The Eagles gave the Jets permission to speak with Reddick and his representative before the trade — common in the NFL when trying to acquire a player seeking a new deal. The Jets made Reddick a contract offer (a raise on his non-guaranteed base of $14.5 million for this season, but well below the $25 to $28 million he wanted). Reddick denied it. The Jets told him that if he wanted more than the offer, he needed to play for them in the regular season. They could then return to negotiating. They haven’t ruled 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 incentives based on on-field performance. Even this, however, would not be signed until he demonstrated commitment to the organization (showed up).

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

He has not been to the facility since that day.

The Jets are firm in their stance: they will not serve a player who has not yet played for them. Corners DJ Reed and michael cartertwo respected leaders in the locker room want new contracts. Neither of them is resisting. The Jets realize the message it would send to the rest of the locker room if they extended Reddick, but not them. So they won’t do it. They made that very clear.

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

But what if a new contract is all that gets him to Florham Park?

This is simply not happening.