Haason Reddick's Prolonged Holdout: A Rarity in the NFL
Holdouts stretching into the NFL regular season are uncommon, making Haason Reddick's situation with the New York Jets particularly notable. The linebacker was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles in early April for a conditional 2026 third-round pick but has remained absent from the team since.
Reddick joined the Jets after significantly outperforming his three-year, $45 million contract with the Eagles. His stellar performance included a career-high of 16 sacks in his first year with Philadelphia and registering double-digit sacks for four consecutive seasons. Despite these accomplishments, Reddick has stayed away from the Jets, insisting that his current contract be revised before he returns to play.
Financial Penalties Pile Up
The financial repercussions of Reddick's holdout have been severe. The Jets fined him $101,716 for missing the mandatory June minicamp. Over the 41 days he stayed away during training camp, Reddick incurred $50,000 in fines for each day, amounting to a staggering $2.05 million.
Moreover, the linebacker faced penalties of one week's base salary for each preseason game he missed, which totaled $2.375 million across three games. His potential losses don't end there; the Jets also have the option to reclaim part of his signing bonus, specifically the $2.743 million prorated amount for his 2024 contract year.
Each missed week during the regular season costs Reddick $791,667 in base salary. After missing the game against the New England Patriots, his total lost salary has accumulated to $2.375 million. The financial toll could grow further, as the Jets have indicated that Reddick's contract might be tolled for a full year if he sits out the entire season.
Standoff Without Resolution
The Jets have remained steadfast, insisting that any discussions regarding Reddickâs contract will only occur once he ends his holdout. During training camp, Reddick requested a trade, which the Jets dismissed outright. With the trade deadline aligned with Week 9, extending to November 5, there remains some time for resolution. The NFLPA has highlighted 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 for this year.
Reddick is not the first player to hold out over contract disputes. In 2015, Kam Chancellor's 54-day holdout over contract issues ultimately led to nearly $3.1 million being moved forward in his contract. Chancellor ended his standoff after the Seahawks lost their second game of the season. Similarly, Duane Brown's 2017 holdout ended without a new contract, and he was subsequently traded to the Seahawks after returning to the team.
Historical Context of NFL Holdouts
Melvin Gordon's 2019 holdout broke after the fourth week, creating an opportunity for Austin Ekeler to shine in his absence. The most drastic holdout in recent memory belongs to Le'Veon Bell, who boycotted the entire 2018 season rather than playing under a franchise tag. Bell became the first franchise player to sit out a full season since Dan Williams in 1998.
In 2023, Chris Jones experienced a 51-day holdout, leading to about $3.25 million in fines and lost wages. Jones saw some adjustments to his contract upon return, though not a long-term deal. Trent Williams held out in 2019 due to dissatisfaction with his medical treatment and contract but did not see any changes to his contract when he came back.
As Reddick's holdout continues, the standoff serves as a rare exception in the NFL landscape, drawing significant attention and conversations about contracts, player rights, and team dynamics. Whether the situation resolves through a revised contract, a trade, or another avenue, it remains a meaningful chapter in NFL holdout history.