Rare NFL Holdout: Haason Reddick's Stand with the New York Jets
In the world of the NFL, holdouts stretching into the regular season are a rare phenomenon. Yet, Haason Reddick's ongoing situation with the New York Jets marks a notable exception. The talented linebacker, initially traded from the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of April for a conditional 2026 third-round pick, remains absent as he pushes for a renegotiated contract.
Reddick's tenure with the Eagles was nothing short of impressive. Over the course of his three-year, $45 million contract, Reddick significantly outperformed expectations. His first year with the Eagles saw a remarkable 16 sacks, a career-high, reinforcing his value by recording double-digit sacks for four consecutive seasons.
Despite this form and consistency, Reddick has found himself at odds with his current team. The Jets fined him $101,716 for missing the mandatory minicamp in June. Since then, the situation has only escalated. Reddick has stayed away, demanding that his contract be addressed before he returns to the field.
Financial Penalties Mount
The stance taken by the Jets has been firm: no discussions will take place until the holdout ends. Consequently, Reddick has faced substantial financial penalties. Each day of his 41-day absence during training camp cost him $50,000, netting an astronomical total of $2.05 million. Additionally, he incurred fines equivalent to one week's base salary for each preseason game missed, culminating in $2.375 million for three games.
The financial repercussions don't end there. The Jets have the option to reclaim part of Reddick's signing bonus, specifically the $2.743 million prorated amount allocated for the 2024 contract year. Furthermore, every week Reddick remains absent during the regular season costs him $791,667 in base salary. Missing the recent game against the New England Patriots has already set him back another $791,667, bringing his total lost salary to $2.375 million thus far.
Historical Context and Comparisons
Holdouts in the NFL have a history, albeit a limited one. Notable instances include the Seattle Seahawks' unsuccessful attempt in 1999 to extend Joey Galloway's contract by a year due to his holdout. More recently, Kam Chancellor held out for 54 days in 2015 over a contract dispute, resulting in nearly $3.1 million moved forward in his deal. Chancellor ended his holdout after Seattle lost its second game of the season.
Other significant holdouts include Duane Brown in 2017, who was eventually traded to the Seahawks without a new contract, and Melvin Gordon in 2019, whose holdout lasted until Week 4, allowing Austin Ekeler to emerge as a key player in his absence. Perhaps most infamously, Le'Veon Bell boycotted the entire 2018 season, becoming the first franchise player to sit out a full season since Dan Williams in 1998.
In 2023, Chris Jones' 51-day holdout led to roughly $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. Trent Williams’ 2019 holdout with the Redskins centered around dissatisfaction with his medical treatment and contract. Similar to others, his return did not bring about any contract changes despite his prolonged absence.
The Road Ahead
With the NFL trade deadline aligning with Week 9, specifically extending to November 5, the Jets have dismissed Reddick's request for a trade made during training camp. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) highlights 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 – this year, it falls on November 12.
Reddick's situation remains precarious. Should he decide to sit out the entire season, his contract might be tolled for a full year. The precedent exists in historical holdout cases, adding another layer of complexity to the negotiations with the Jets.
As the standoff continues, all eyes remain on whether Reddick and the Jets can find common ground before the financial and professional stakes rise even higher. The outcome will likely set a precedent for future contract disputes and player-team negotiations in the NFL.