Holdouts in the NFL: The Haason Reddick Saga with the New York Jets
Holdouts extending into the NFL regular season are an uncommon phenomenon. Yet, Haason Reddick's current situation with the New York Jets bucks that trend. Traded from the Philadelphia Eagles in early April for a conditional 2026 third-round pick, Reddick has seen his career once again enter the spotlight for reasons other than on-field performance.
From the Eagles to the Jets
Reddick's performance with the Philadelphia Eagles left an indelible mark. The linebacker significantly outperformed his three-year, $45 million contract, recording a career-high 16 sacks in his first year. He's achieved double-digit sack totals for four consecutive seasons, underscoring his premier pass-rushing capabilities. Despite his accolades, Reddick's tenure with the Jets has been marred by a standoff with the franchise over contract disputes.
Minicamp and Training Camp Absences
The turmoil began when Reddick missed the mandatory June minicamp, resulting in a fine of $101,716 from the Jets. His absence didn't stop there; Reddick continued his holdout into training camp, demanding that his contract be re-evaluated. The Jets, standing firm, have refused to renegotiate unless Reddick ends his holdout.
This standoff has proven costly. Reddick racked up $50,000 fines for each of the 41 days he missed during training camp, cumulating a significant $2.05 million. Further compounding his financial losses, Reddick was also penalized one week's base salary for each preseason game missed—$2.375 million from three games.
Financial Repercussions and Missed Games
As the regular season commenced, the financial implications of Reddick’s holdout grew starker. Missing the game against the New England Patriots added another $791,667 in lost base salary, bringing his total lost wages to $2.375 million. The Jets also have the option to reclaim part of Reddick's signing bonus, notably the $2.743 million prorated amount from his 2024 contract year.
Should Reddick opt to miss the entire season, the Jets could petition to toll his contract for a full year, a notion not without precedent in the league. The Seattle Seahawks faced a similar situation in 1999 when they unsuccessfully tried to extend Joey Galloway's contract by a year due to his holdout.
Comparing Past Holdouts
Holdouts in the NFL have varied in outcome and impact. In 2015, Kam Chancellor held out for 54 days due to contract disagreements, resulting in nearly $3.1 million being adjusted forward in his contract. Chancellor ultimately concluded his holdout after the Seahawks endured two consecutive losses. On the other hand, Duane Brown’s 2017 holdout ended without a revised contract, and he was subsequently traded to the Seahawks upon his return.
Melvin Gordon's 2019 holdout lasted until the fourth week of the season, paving the way for Austin Ekeler to emerge as a standout performer. Le'Veon Bell took a more extreme measure, sitting out the entire 2018 season rather than playing under the franchise tag, the first instance of such action since Dan Williams in 1998. More recently, in 2023, Chris Jones experienced a 51-day holdout, accruing around $3.25 million in fines and lost wages. Though his contract saw some adjustments upon return, it didn’t result in the long-term deal he had initially sought.
Trent Williams’ holdout in 2019 was characterized by dissatisfaction with his medical treatment and contract disputes. However, Williams too saw no changes to his contract upon his return to the game.
Possible Resolutions and Future Considerations
The Jets, having already denied a trade request from Reddick during training camp, face a potential deadline for any transaction, aligning with Week 9, extending to November 5. The NFL Players Association has also noted the final date 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 for this year.
As the standoff continues, the situation mirrors past NFL holdouts, each illustrating the high stakes and substantial financial repercussions involved. Whether the Jets and Reddick can come to a mutually beneficial resolution remains to be seen. The outcome may set a precedent for future contract disputes and player holdouts in the league.