Reddick's Holdout: An Uncommon Standoff in the NFL
Holdouts stretching into the NFL regular season are rare, but Haason Reddick's situation with the New York Jets is an exception. Traded from the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of April for a conditional 2026 third-round pick, Reddick significantly outperformed his three-year, $45 million contract with the Eagles. He achieved a career-high 16 sacks in his first year with the team and recorded double-digit sacks for four consecutive seasons.
The Jets fined Reddick $101,716 for his absence from the mandatory June minicamp, but his stay-away approach is rooted in a demand to address his contract. The Jets, however, have insisted that he ends his holdout before any discussions can take place. This impasse has led to a financial showdown with serious monetary consequences for Reddick.
As of now, Reddick has incurred $50,000 fines for each of the 41 days he missed during training camp, amounting to $2.05 million. On top of that, he faced penalties of one week's base salary for each preseason game missed, totaling $2.375 million from three games.
The financial penalties don't stop there. The Jets can reclaim part of his signing bonus, specifically the $2.743 million prorated amount for his 2024 contract year. Furthermore, each week Reddick misses in the regular season costs him $791,667 in base salary. After missing the game against the New England Patriots, his total lost salary amounts to $2.375 million.
If Reddick sits out the entire season, his contract might be tolled for a full year, aligning with past precedents. The Seattle Seahawks faced a similar situation in 1999 when they lost a grievance after attempting to extend Joey Galloway's contract by a year due to his holdout.
Reddick even made a trade request during training camp, which the Jets dismissed. As the trade deadline aligns with Week 9, running through November 5, it remains a key date to watch. The NFLPA points out that the deadline for signing unsigned franchise and transition players, draft picks, and restricted free agents is the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season, specifically November 12 this year.
Reddick isn't the first player to engage in a significant holdout over contract disputes. Kam Chancellor held out for 54 days in 2015, moving nearly $3.1 million forward in his contract. Chancellor ended his holdout after Seattle lost its second game of the season. Similarly, Duane Brown's holdout in 2017 ended without a new contract, leading to his trade to the Seahawks shortly after his return.
Melvin Gordon's 2019 holdout broke after the fourth week, paving the way for Austin Ekeler to shine in his absence. Perhaps most notably, Le'Veon Bell boycotted the entire 2018 season rather than playing under a franchise tag, becoming the first franchise player to sit out a full season since Dan Williams in 1998.
Most recently, Chris Jones experienced a 51-day holdout in 2023, accruing about $3.25 million in fines and lost wages. While Jones' contract saw some adjustments upon his return, it did not result in a long-term deal. Similarly, Trent Williams' 2019 holdout revolved around dissatisfaction with his medical treatment and contract, with no changes upon his return.
The Haason Reddick saga is emblematic of the complexities and stakes involved in NFL contract negotiations, offering a stark reminder of the financial and professional consequences that can arise from such standoffs. As the weeks progress, all eyes will be on how this standoff resolves and the implications it will have for Reddick's future and the New York Jets' season.