When the New York Jets acquired disgruntled two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Haason Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles, it was one of the biggest moves of the NFL offseason. To obtain the Second Team All-Pro, New York had to forfeit a conditional third-round pick that might have been a second-round pick.
Naturally, Reddick wanted more than the $14.5 million he would have made this season—the final year of his contract—so the Eagles traded him. Many people believed that Reddick would receive the contract extension he is seeking when he was acquired by the Jets. As many fans know, such was not the case.
The truth is that the Jets and Reddick have been at odds over their contract negotiations, despite the widespread belief that they would quickly reach an agreement following the trade. Consequently, the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker has made the decision to miss all Jets team activities.
Reddick has been penalised for each day he has missed of training camp and required minicamp, even though there were no consequences for missing the voluntary OTAs. Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers informed reporters that his fine for missing the two days of obligatory minicamp was “a lot more” than what was suggested for travelling to Egypt. However, the exact amount of the fine has not been disclosed.
The NFL teams are prohibited by the new collective bargaining agreement from waiving sanctions for players who want to hold out. Reddick has incurred fines of $50,000 for each day he has missed as a result. In addition to the sum he was penalised for missing the required minicamp, Reddick now owes more than $1 million in fines from the Jets.
Reddick reportedly asked to be traded away from the Jets earlier today, according to reports. With the preseason games already completed and the 2024 NFL regular season only a month away, the decision was made.
Since the Jets defence is stacked with talented players, they may not have needed to acquire Reddick in the first place. But he just finished two straight Pro Bowl seasons with the Eagles, when he recorded 27.0 sacks.