Jets offered Haason Reddick a contract extension before holdout -- here's what comes next

FLORHAM PARK – The Jets reported for training camp on Tuesday.

Haason Reddick, whom the team traded for this offseason, is still not in attendance. The team does not have any indication when he plans on showing up – the first helping of drama in a season with Super Bowl aspirations.

The Jets-Reddick impasse centers around the pass rusher’s contract. Reddick has one year and $14.25 million unguaranteed left on the three-year deal he signed with the Eagles in 2022. The Jets inherited that contract when they traded a conditional third-round pick for him this offseason. Before completing that trade, the Jets offered Reddick a contract extension, sources told SNY. The figures, while a raise, were not what Reddick was looking for, so he declined the offer.

The Jets were open to a contract extension making Reddick one of the league’s highest-paid edge rushers (he wants a deal between $25 million and $28 million annually), but there was an understanding between the Jets and Reddick that in order to receive that, Reddick needed to show up and perform on the field (regular season games), SNY learned. The Jets were not willing to rip up Reddick’s current deal until that point. They were, however, willing to do an extension in-season, similar to when they rewarded defensive end John Franklin-Myers in October of 2021.

In the meantime, they could adjust Reddick’s current contract: Converting unguaranteed money to guaranteed, adding in incentives.

Reddick, who has double-digit sacks each of the last four seasons, was on board. He told Jets brass he would attend the offseason program, minicamp and training camp. Early-season dominance would lead to the desired extension.

Then Reddick didn’t show up for the voluntary portion of the Jets offseason. He skipped mandatory minicamp. He is now a no-show for the start of training camp. The Jets are not willing to negotiate any extension until Reddick shows up. Reddick does not want to show up until he receives a long-term extension.

Reddick forgoed a $250,000 workout bonus by skipping the offseason program. The Jets fined him for skipping mandatory minicamp. He will be fined $50,000 per day he misses of training camp.

Internally, the Jets aren’t worried Reddick’s current absence will impact his season. Their attack-first defense isn’t overly complicated for defensive linemen to pick up and the team knows Reddick is in shape. The hope is that Reddick reports soon, they adjust his current deal, and continue to work towards a more lucrative extension. Granted, this could change.

The greater concern is the ever-changing landscape of whether or not Reddick will show up. The Jets felt they were on the same page. They, apparently, are not, with neither side willing to budge.

There is zero chance, sources told SNY, that this lingers to the point Reddick is released or traded. The Chiefs endured a similar holdout a year ago with Chris Jones, although there is belief internally that this holdout will not last that long. Jones missed Kansas City’s regular season opener.

Reddick’s absence will give Will McDonald, the team’s first-round pick a year ago, a chance for additional reps. McDonald had an underwhelming rookie season, recording three sacks in 15 games.