Holdout Extends into Regular Season for Haason Reddick
Holdouts in the NFL rarely stretch into the regular season, yet Haason Reddick's stand with the New York Jets has become a significant exception. Reddick, who was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of April for a conditional 2026 third-round pick, has remained absent as he demands a restructured contract that reflects his performance on the field.
During his tenure with the Eagles, Reddick significantly outperformed his three-year, $45 million contract. He posted a career-high 16 sacks in his first year with Philadelphia and accomplished the feat of double-digit sacks for four consecutive seasons. Such performance naturally set the stage for contract renegotiations, prompting his current holdout.
However, the Jets have enforced strict penalties for his absence. The team fined him $101,716 for missing the mandatory June minicamp. Additionally, Reddick accrued $50,000 fines for each of the 41 days he missed during training camp, amounting to a staggering $2.05 million. The penalties further extended to the preseason, where he was fined a week’s base salary for each game missed, totaling $2.375 million over three games. The Jets also hold the right to reclaim part of his signing bonus, specifically the $2.743 million prorated amount for his 2024 contract year.
A Costly Absence
Each week Reddick misses in the regular season costs him $791,667 in base salary. Having already missed the game against the New England Patriots, his total lost salary has surged by another $791,667, bringing his forfeited regular-season earnings to $2.375 million. The financial losses continue to mount as he remains firm in his stance for a better contract.
Compounding the complexity of the situation is the potential tolling of Reddick's contract. Should he sit out the entire season, his contract might be tolled for a full year. The Seattle Seahawks faced a similar situation in 1999 when they lost a grievance trying to extend Joey Galloway's contract by a year due to his holdout. The current dilemma between Reddick and the Jets could very well tread the same legal waters.
Precedents of NFL Holdouts
The league has seen its fair share of holdouts over contract disputes. In 2015, Kam Chancellor's 54-day holdout resulted in nearly $3.1 million being moved forward in his contract, ending only after the Seattle Seahawks lost their second game of the season. Duane Brown held out in 2017 and, despite not receiving a new contract, was traded to the Seahawks shortly after his return. Melvin Gordon's 2019 holdout ended after the fourth week, offering Austin Ekeler the stage to shine in his absence.
One of the most notable holdouts was Le'Veon Bell in 2018, who boycotted the entire season rather than playing under a franchise tag, becoming the first franchise player to sit out a full season since Dan Williams in 1998. More recently, Chris Jones experienced a 51-day holdout in 2023, resulting in approximately $3.25 million in fines and lost wages. Although Jones' contract received some adjustments upon his return, no long-term deal was achieved.
Jets' Response and Deadline Approaching
The New York Jets have maintained a firm stance, insisting that Reddick ends his holdout before any contract discussions can take place. This strategy leaves little room for negotiation until he rejoins the team. Moreover, the Jets dismissed Reddick's trade request made during training camp, further solidifying their position.
The trade deadline, which aligns with Week 9, is extended to November 5 this season. The NFLPA has highlighted other critical deadlines, including the signing deadline for unsigned franchise and transition players, draft picks, and restricted free agents, set for the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season, specifically November 12 this year.
As this high-stakes contract standoff continues, both Reddick and the Jets face mounting pressure. The financial repercussions for Reddick are significant, but his resolve underscores the crucial issue of fair compensation in a league where player durability and peak performance windows are often short-lived.
Whether this situation will mirror past holdouts or take an unprecedented turn remains to be seen. What is clear is that both Reddick and the Jets have much at stake, and the outcome will likely have ramifications beyond this season.