Haason Reddick’s Extended Holdout: A Deep Dive
Holdouts stretching into the NFL regular season are rare, yet Haason Reddick’s situation with the New York Jets stands as a notable exception.
Acquired in a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles at the beginning of April for a conditional 2026 third-round pick, Reddick has significantly outperformed his three-year, $45 million contract with the Eagles. His impactful performance included a career-high 16 sacks in his first year and double-digit sacks for four consecutive seasons, making his discontent over his current contract understandable.
Costly Consequences for Reddick
Despite his on-field success, Reddick has stayed away from the team, demanding his contract be addressed. In return, the Jets have taken a hard stance, insisting that Reddick ends his holdout before any contract discussions take place. This standoff has resulted in substantial financial penalties for the player.
Reddick was fined $101,716 for his absence from the mandatory June minicamp. Additionally, he incurred $50,000 fines for each of the 41 days missed during training camp, amounting to a staggering $2.05 million. Further fines were imposed for missing preseason games, leading to penalties equating to one week’s base salary for each game, totaling $2.375 million from three games.
Potential Financial Repercussions
The Jets also possess the ability to reclaim a portion of his signing bonus, specifically the $2.743 million prorated amount for his 2024 contract year. Each week Reddick misses in the regular season costs him $791,667 in base salary, significant losses for any player. After missing the game against the New England Patriots, his total lost salary has swelled to $2.375 million.
There’s a looming possibility that if Reddick sits out the entire season, his contract might be tolled for a full year. This brings a historical context to mind, such as the Seattle Seahawks' failed attempt to extend Joey Galloway’s contract by a year due to his holdout in 1999.
Trade Speculations and Deadlines
Reddick’s effort to seek greener pastures through a trade request, made during training camp, was dismissed by the Jets. The trade deadline corresponds with Week 9, extended to November 5, giving limited time for any potential moves. Furthermore, the NFLPA notes the deadline for signing unsigned franchise and transition players, draft picks, and restricted free agents as the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season, specifically November 12 for this year.
Historical Holdout Context
Reddick's holdout joins a history of notable holdouts in the NFL. In 2015, Kam Chancellor held out for 54 days over contract disputes, which resulted in nearly $3.1 million being moved forward in his contract. Chancellor ended his holdout after Seattle lost its second game of the season. Unlike Chancellor, Duane Brown’s 2017 holdout concluded without a new contract, leading to his trade to the Seahawks shortly after returning.
Similarly, Melvin Gordon's 2019 holdout broke after the fourth week, paving the way for Austin Ekeler's rise in his absence. Another dramatic holdout saw Le'Veon Bell boycotting the entire 2018 season rather than playing under a franchise tag, making him the first franchise player to sit out a full season since Dan Williams in 1998.
Closer to the present, Chris Jones experienced a 51-day holdout in 2023, resulting in about $3.25 million in fines and lost wages. His contract saw some adjustments upon return yet lacked a long-term deal. Trent Williams' 2019 holdout stemmed from dissatisfaction with his medical treatment and contract, resolving with no modifications to his contract upon his return.
The Road Ahead
Whether the standoff between Reddick and the Jets will find resolution remains uncertain. The clock ticks, and each game missed brings further financial impact, leaving both parties in a protracted standstill. The intricate dance of contract demands, penalties, and team strategy continues to unfold, making Reddick's holdout a fascinating, if costly, chapter in NFL contract negotiations.