Jets, Haason Reddick agree to deal, ending lengthy holdout
Haason Reddick, shown with the Eagles in 2023, has ended his holdout with the Jets. Credit: AP/Matt Slocum
PITTSBURGH — Woody Johnson did it: Haason Reddick will get in his car, drive up I-95 and come to the New York Jets on Monday.
Reddick is ending his holdout, agent Drew Rosenhaus said. The two sides agreed on a reworked deal for this season. Reddick will be in the Jets’ facility in Florham Park on Monday.
“Our goal is to continue to work on a long-term extension with the Jets,” Rosenhaus said in a text.
Reddick will make the remainder of his base salary (about $8.8 million) and could recoup the $12 million in fines he accumulated through incentives, including sacks and games played.
Johnson was very involved in getting Reddick to end his holdout. Less than two weeks ago, he made a plea for Reddick, who lives in South Jersey, to “get in your car, drive down 95 and come to the New York Jets.”
The Jets finally will add the two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, who had 50.5 sacks in the previous four seasons, to an already strong defense.
This has been a roller-coaster ride for all involved, but there finally is a resolution.
Reddick was acquired from the Eagles in March for a 2026 conditional third-round pick. He showed up for his physical on April 1, but that was the last time he was in the Jets’ building.
Reddick was in the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract and was due to make $14.25 million this year. He wanted to be one of the highest-paid edge rushers in the league.
The Jets thought they had a deal in place, but Reddick wouldn’t agree to it. After that, general manager Joe Douglas’ stance was that the Jets would not negotiate a new or restructured contract with Reddick unless he joined the team.
The fact that the Jets did now is another indication that Johnson played a big role in this.
Reddick requested a trade in August. Two weeks ago, his reps, CAA, dropped him as a client. Reddick hired Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha.
At the time, Rosenhaus said: “We look forward to working with the Jets to get this resolved as soon as possible. Haason would like to be a New York Jet for years to come and our goal is to make that happen.”
Rosenhaus flew to New Jersey to meet with the Jets last week. A couple of days later, the Jets decided to honor Reddick’s trade request and gave his agents permission to seek a deal. Less than a week later, Reddick and the Jets reached an agreement.
“If there’s anybody who can make an argument and explain it to the player, I think Rosenhaus can do it,” Johnson said Tuesday at the NFL meetings.
It’s been quite a two weeks for the Jets.
Johnson fired Robert Saleh and appointed Jeff Ulbrich interim coach. On Tuesday, the Jets traded for perennial Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams. He made his Jets debut Sunday night against the Steelers.
Now the Jets finally are getting the pass rusher they hoped would be a game-wrecker for them when they made the trade. He could make his debut next Sunday at New England.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
