Robert Saleh has the worst explanation for why star player is not at Jets’ OTAs
When the Jets let Bryce Huff walk in free agency to join the Philadelphia Eagles for a three-year deal worth $51.1 million, the Jets were drawing a line in the sand for how much they were willing to spend. Just a few weeks later, the Jets and the Eagles were able to come to an […]
When the Jets let Bryce Huff walk in free agency to join the Philadelphia Eagles for a three-year deal worth $51.1 million, the Jets were drawing a line in the sand for how much they were willing to spend.
Just a few weeks later, the Jets and the Eagles were able to come to an agreement on a trade for Pro Bowl pass rusher Haason Reddick and it seemed like their pass rushing problem was solved. But the same thing that made Huff head down the New Jersey Turnpike to Philadelphia is keeping Reddick away from Jets’ OTAs. Money.
Reddick has yet to show up to the Jets facility because of a desire for a new contract.
The 29-year-old Reddick is due to make a non-guaranteed $14.25 million in base pay in the final year of the three-year, $45 million contract he signed with the Eagles. The Jets' mandatory minicamp is next week. Saleh said he expects Reddick to attend. If not, players are subject to a fine. Reddick has already cost himself $250,000 in a workout bonus for not attending the voluntary workouts.
When asked if he knew why Reddick has yet to show up to the Jets’ OTAs Saleh has a one word answer: “no”.
"I'm focused on the guys who are here and Haason's a pro," Saleh said. "He's been in this league a while. He's produced it at a very high level for a long time. He's got his routine and if it makes people feel better, we know where he's at, we know what he's doing and we know he's working his tail off to get where he needs to get you to have a productive '24 season."
Reddick wanted the Eagles to extend him before he was traded to the Jets, but Philly went with the younger Huff and sent Haason to the Jets to work out the contract problems. Reddick told reporters that he'd let his agent and Jets’ GM Joe Douglas sort out the contract matter. He added, "Whatever happens, I'm going to be happy. I'm going to give him all, no matter what."
While this type of behavior is common in the NFL, and for the record I am pro-player in most of these disputes in the NFL, this one is a bit of a head scratcher. Reddick is joining a new team because the old one sent him packing and you would think he would want to be a model citizen in his new environment.
Reddick should get all the money he can while he can, but in this instance, you are negotiating with a team that hasn’t even met you. He should be in the building and showing the team who he is and why he should be paid. Worst case scenario is he makes $250,000 and is a free agent next year after playing for what will be one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2024. Not a bad spot to be negotiating from.
I generally hope players get paid all they can, and I hope the Jets give Haason the money he deserves, but for a team that was trying to go into 2024 with no distractions, this is a pretty big one to be dealing with.
Jets’ HC Robert Saleh confirms suspicion about his offensive coordinator
For Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, 2023 wasn’t the comeback story he had envisioned after getting fired after one season as the head coach of the Denver Broncos. He was mocked by new Broncos head coach Sean Payton for how mismanaged the team was the previous season under Hackett. For all the buildup and all […]
