Jets holdout Haason Reddick's availability for opener looks more doubtful by the day
Haason Reddick during a game between the Eagles and Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Oct. 9, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. Credit: Getty Images
Time is running out for Haason Reddick to report to the Jets and be able to play in their Week 1 game against San Francisco.
Reddick’s holdout reached 43 days on Tuesday when the Jets held a light practice to prepare for the 49ers. The Pro Bowl edge rusher is the only NFL player holding out.
Reddick, appearing at a charity event in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Tuesday evening, autographed Jets merchandise. He declined to comment to reporters at the event.
Trent Williams, the 49ers star left tackle, ended his holdout Tuesday and flew to San Francisco to sign a new deal. He will be in uniform, protecting Brock Purdy’s blindside on Monday night.
The Jets are holding out hope that Reddick will be on the field trying to bring down Purdy. Reddick likely would have to report by Thursday at the latest for him to be active in Week 1.
“It’s going to be all dependent on how he looks,” Robert Saleh said during a Zoom call on Tuesday. “If and when he shows up, we’ll put him through some work with the training staff, see where he’s at, communicate with him on what we can figure out.”
Reddick, acquired from the Eagles in March, is seeking a new or reworked contract. He was due $14.25 million this season. But he has been fined more than $2.3 million for missing training camp and an offseason mandatory minicamp. He also forfeited $250,000 in a workout bonus.
General manager Joe Douglas has held firm that he won’t negotiate until Reddick is in the building. Douglas also won’t honor the trade request Reddick made on Aug. 12.
Reddick lives and is training in South Jersey. It’s an easy ride for Reddick to report and avoid getting docked a game check ($791,666), so things could change quickly.
“Hopefully, eventually he does get here,” Saleh said. “And when he gets here, we’re going to embrace him. We’re going to love him. We’re going to do everything we can to put him in position to be successful [and] to achieve the goals that he’s trying to achieve, as well as us.”
Saleh said he hasn’t spoken to Reddick since before training camp. Reddick was in the Jets’ facility on April 1 for a physical and news conference, during which Reddick said this about his contract: “Whatever happens, I’m going to be happy. I’m going to give my all, no matter what.”
The Jets believe they can contend for the Super Bowl this season. Their chances improve if they have the most accomplished pass rusher on their roster. Reddick has had at least 11 sacks each of the past four seasons and his 50.5 rank fourth in the NFL in that time. The Jets plan to lean on Micheal Clemons, Will McDonald and Takk McKinley in Reddick’s absence against one of the best and most diverse offenses in football.
Clemons and McDonald each have three career sacks and McKinley 3.5 since 2020. He hasn’t sacked a quarterback since 2021 or played an NFL game in nearly two years.
Saleh, however, remains confident in that trio and that his defensive line as a whole will put pressure on Purdy. Jermaine Johnson will line up on one edge. The Jets expect to get push from tackles Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw and Solomon Thomas.
“We’ve got plenty to go rush the passer,” Saleh said. “Our interior guys, Quinnen, Kinlaw and Solly, still will produce a whole lot for us. So I’m not overly concerned at all.”
The Jets consistently have said their focus is on the players who are there. They think they have enough talent and depth up front and adding Reddick is a bonus.
“It’s like finding change in the couch, I guess,” Saleh said. “He’s a special football player. When he eventually gets here, he’s only going to help us.”
Linebacker Quincy Williams, Quinnen’s older brother, also is “very confident” in the defensive line, but looks forward to playing with Reddick.
“You guys forgot my brother on that front line. I trust him with my whole life,” Quincy Williams said. “I’m not worried about not getting pressure. The biggest thing is whenever he’s ready to come on in, we’re going to put him on the same page and [he’ll] get in where he fits in. That’s the main thing because there’s a lot of ballers on this team and we’re looking to accept another baller, too.”
Corner Carter extended
The Jets made sure a key member of their defense won’t hit free agency in the offseason.
They agreed to terms on a three-year extension with nickelback Michael Carter II, a league source said. The deal is for $30.75 million and could be worth $33 million with incentives. Carter has established himself as one of the best slot corners in the NFL. This contract will make him the highest paid slot corner in the league.
Carter becomes the first player drafted by general manager Joe Douglas to receive a contract extension.
This was an important move for the Jets. Carter is in the final year of his rookie contract and was expected to be in demand if he was available on the open market.
The Jets have arguably the best cornerback trio in the league in Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed and Carter. A decision also has to be made on Reed, who is in the final year of his contract. Gardner is eligible for an extension in the offseason. He’s expected to become the highest paid cornerback in the NFL.
Carter was a fifth-round pick out of Duke in 2020. He has 185 tackles, 23 passes defended, two picks and two fumble recoveries in 47 games with the Jets.
Captains for 2024
Aaron Rodgers, C.J. Mosley, Quinnen Williams and Thomas Morstead were voted team captains.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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