FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Four months ago, the New York Jets trumpeted their trade for Pro Bowl edge rusher Haason Reddick. Now the organization and its marquee defensive addition are embroiled in a contract dispute.
The Jets reported to training camp Tuesday without Reddick, who is holding out for a new contract. His hard-line stance will cost him $50,000 per day, the mandatory fine under the collective bargaining agreement. By rule, the fine can't be waived.
Reddick, entering the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract, is due to make a non-guaranteed $14.25 million in base pay, plus another $500,000 with incentives. The Jets inherited the contract from the Philadelphia Eagles, who traded him in late March for a 2026 conditional third-round pick.
The Jets tried to sign him to an extension at the time of the trade, and they're still open to it, but they won't negotiate with a player not in camp, sources told ESPN. When their contract offer was rejected at the time of the trade, the Jets were led to believe that Reddick still would participate in the offseason program and would start the season under his existing contract, sources said. The plan was to table extension talks until later in the season or next offseason at the latest.
The Jets were surprised when Reddick opted to skip the entire offseason, including the mandatory minicamp in June. By doing so, he forfeited a $250,000 workout bonus and incurred a $50,000 fine for skipping the minicamp. It raised eyebrows in early June when coach Robert Saleh said he had had no communication with Reddick.
The holdout becomes a major storyline and a potential distraction for the Jets, who begin the year with Super Bowl aspirations. Reddick is their first training camp holdout since cornerback Darrelle Revis in 2010, which happened to be their last playoff season. The 13-year drought is the longest in the NFL.
In 2022, Reddick became one of the highest-paid edge rushers when he signed with the Eagles as a free agent, but now his $15 million per year is ranked 20th among edge players, according to Roster Management System.
Reddick, who turns 30 on Sept. 22, has proved himself as one of the league's top pass rushers. He has 27 sacks over the past two seasons; the only players with more are Myles Garrett (30), Nick Bosa (29) and Micah Parsons (27.5).
After last season, Reddick made it clear to the Eagles that he wanted a new deal, reportedly $25 million per year, which would put him in the top five among edge players based on average per year. Instead of extending him, the Eagles signed former Jets pass rusher Bryce Huff (three years, $51 million) and dealt Reddick to the Jets.
Typically, Jets general manager Joe Douglas doesn't sign older veterans (30 and up) to long-term extensions, so his offer in late March likely didn't include much guaranteed money beyond 2024. The Jets are amenable to sweetening Reddick's current deal, adding more 2024 compensation, but his camp isn't negotiating, sources said.
"I was in this position last year, so I know how the organization works," said Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who signed a four-year, $96 million extension last July. "I know how Joe Douglas and Coach Saleh and all those guys work. Knowing [Reddick] personally as a great competitor and a great person who wants to be here, who wants to win championships, I know they're going to get everything ironed out."
Douglas and Saleh weren't made available on the first day of training camp. Linebacker C.J. Mosley, a 2023 captain, said Reddick's absence isn't a distraction.
"I mean, when you deal with contracts and things like that, it doesn't really get to the locker room because we don't control that," Mosley said. "So, when he does get here, then we'll have our two cents to say. But we know he's a pro. He's been at the highest level of competition. So, whenever that gets worked out, he'll be here, ready to roll. When he gets here, it's just another great player on the line."
Reddick, who played outside linebacker for the Eagles, is slated to start at defensive end. He will join a defensive unit that is ranked third in yards allowed and includes Williams, All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams and All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Reddick's absence will create an opportunity for 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald IV, who played only a small role as a rookie. The Jets also have veteran backup Micheal Clemons. Jermaine Johnson, who made the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement, is slated to start at right end. Citing financial reasons, the Jets traded starter John Franklin-Myers to the Denver Broncos in April.
The Jets traded a 2026 conditional third-round pick for Reddick; it improves to a second-round pick if he plays 67.5% of the snaps and records at least 10 sacks in 2024.