Haason Reddick ends the Jets’ reluctance and agrees to a contract adjustment

PITTSBURGH – More than six months after being traded to the New York Jets, Haason Reddick has finally decided to show up for work.

Reddick terminated his contract extension on Sunday, the standout edge rusher’s agent told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, agreeing to a modified contract with the Jets.

“We will continue to work toward a long-term contract extension with the Jets,” agent Drew Rosenhaus, who negotiated the adjusted contract with Ryan Matha, told Schefter.

Reddick will report to the Jets on Monday morning. The two-time Pro Bowler will receive the remainder of his 2024 base salary – about $9 million – as well as new incentives that will allow him to recoup the $12 million he lost to fines. Generally, a team cannot waive off-season fines.

Rosenhaus told Schefter that Jets owner Woody Johnson was “very involved” in resolving this issue. New York had given Reddick permission to seek a trade but always intended to keep him, a source said.

The Jets (2-4) added two players they hope can turn things around, completing Reddick’s return to the team five days after New York acquired star wide receiver Davante Adams in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders had taken over.

The Reddick saga caps a strange chapter, even by the standards of the Jets.

Reddick was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade in March and told the media that he was “happy” with his new address. But then he refused to report to the team, requested a trade in training camp and was released by his long-time agency before hiring new agents.

Reddick was fired from CAA and hired Rosenhaus and Matha, who immediately announced Reddick’s intention to remain a Jet “for years to come.”

It’s conceivable that Reddick plays against the New England Patriots next week, but how quickly he plays will depend on his conditioning. New York, which plays the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, has the option of a two-week roster exemption.

Reddick, 30, joins a defense that has 20 sacks this season, third in the NFL. He will help make up for the loss of defensive end Jermaine Johnson, who is out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 2.

Reddick missed the entire offseason, including mandatory minicamp and training camp. Frustrated with not having a long-term contract, Reddick officially requested a trade on August 12. The Jets said they would not trade him, adding that they would not negotiate until he reported.

Entering the season, Reddick was scheduled to receive a non-guaranteed base salary of $14.25 million, the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract he signed with the Eagles as a free agent in 2022. He felt he had exceeded his contract and wanted to be paid like one of the NFL’s top edge rushers, which was the main reason Philadelphia decided to decline interest in him in the offseason despite his quality performance to check.

The Jets offered Reddick a long-term contract at the time of the trade, which he declined. They decided to continue the deal despite knowing his desire for an extension. New York claims Reddick agreed to play under his existing contract and then resigned. Reddick was apparently upset when the team stopped negotiations after his initial contract offer was rejected.

Reddick has 58 career sacks in seven seasons with the Eagles, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. The 2017 first-round draft pick has been one of the league’s most productive pass rushers over the past four seasons, recording 50.5 sacks during that span.