There is a potential storm brewing between the Jets and one of the players they acquired this spring.
Edge rusher Haason Reddick has not been at the Jets’ offseason program this spring, coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday. The Jets traded for Reddick in March, bringing him over from the Eagles.
It is unknown exactly why Reddick is skipping the voluntary OTAs but all signs point to him being unhappy with his contract. He sought a contract extension from the Eagles this offseason and that led to the team trading him. He has one year, $14.25 million left on a three-year deal he signed in 2022. There was a thought the Jets might give him a new deal after the trade but that has not happened.
On Tuesday, Saleh looked unhappy when asked about whether Reddick has been with the Jets this spring.
“He has not,” Saleh said.
The only mandatory portion of the spring program for players is minicamp, which is June 11-14 for the Jets. Saleh said he expects Reddick to be there for minicamp.
Saleh was asked if the absence is contract-related.
“I don’t know that,” Saleh said. “That would probably be more of a question for Joe [Douglas].”
Saleh said he has not had any communication with Reddick this spring, which is strange for a player new to the team. But Saleh said he is not worried about Reddick.
“For me, I’m focused on the guys who are here,” Saleh said. “Haason’s a pro. He’s been in this league a while. He’s produced at a very high level for a long time. He’s got his routine. If it makes people feel better, we know where he’s at, we know what he’s doing. We know he’s working his tail off to get where he needs to get to to have a productive ’24 season.”
Saleh, of course, would prefer to have Reddick practicing with the team.
“Obviously, as a coach, selfishly, you want everybody here all the time,” Saleh said. “It is voluntary. I’m thankful for the guys who are here putting in their work and those are the guys I’m going to focus on.”
The Jets traded a 2026 conditional third-round pick to the Eagles for Reddick in March. He essentially is filling the void left by Bryce Huff, who signed with the Eagles as a free agent.
Reddick, 29, has 50 ½ sacks over the last four seasons. That is tied for fourth-most in the NFL, behind only T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson.
The Eagles gave Reddick permission to seek a trade after last season when the two sides did not reach a contract agreement. After he was traded, Reddick downplayed his desire for a new contract from the Jets.
“All options are open,” Reddick said in April. “Right now, I’m just worried about being here, meeting everybody. Contractual stuff, I’m leaving that up to my agent and Joe to figure out. But whatever happens, I’m going to be happy. I’m going to give my all no matter what because that’s just who I am as a person. No matter how it goes, how many years I’m going to be here, I’m going to give the team and the fans everything that I have.”