Haason Reddick’s holdout is officially over.
After seven long months, the talented pass rusher has agreed to a reworked contract with the New York Jets, ending one of the last remaining holdouts in the NFL this season.
If you’ve been following this story, you know it’s been a back-and-forth struggle, with Reddick originally holding out for a longer, more secure contract.
Here’s a full look at why he’s back, what this new deal includes, and how his return could help turn things around for the Jets.
The journey started when the Jets traded for Reddick back in March.
At that point, he was coming off two great seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, including back-to-back Pro Bowl years.
The Jets, wanting to build a stronger defense, gave up a future draft pick to acquire him.
But things didn’t go as planned: Reddick didn’t feel his contract with the Jets matched his value.
He wanted a longer deal with more security, so he held out, skipping the team’s practices and then the first seven games of the season.
During this holdout, Reddick faced heavy fines.
He missed practice days, preseason games, and the season’s early games, losing over $10 million in total fines and missed payments.
As we can see, it was a big gamble.
But after months of waiting and a change in agents, Reddick decided to make things work with the Jets on a restructured contract that, while short-term, has plenty of bonuses built in to reward him if he plays well.
So, what’s in the new deal?
Reddick’s adjusted contract includes what’s left of his yearly salary (around $8.7 million) and some extra performance bonuses.
If he makes it to the Pro Bowl, he’ll earn an additional $500,000.
If he plays in the Super Bowl with the Jets, he’ll get a $2 million bonus.
Additionally, there are rewards for reaching sack milestones; if he gets eight sacks, he’ll earn an extra $500,000; if he reaches 12, he can earn up to $2 million more.
Essentially, this setup is a win-win. It allows Reddick to earn nearly as much as he would have under his original contract.
At the same time, it gives the Jets the flexibility to evaluate his performance this season before making a long-term commitment.
Jets owner Woody Johnson helped make this deal happen since he sees Reddick as a key player for the defense.
Even without him, the Jets’ defense has been impressive this season, ranked seventh in points allowed and second in yards allowed.
With Reddick back, they’re hoping to get even better.
He’ll join forces with top defensive players like Will McDonald IV, C.J. Mosley, and Quinnen Williams.
The Jets have been hit with injuries, including the loss of pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II for the season.
Reddick’s return couldn’t come at a better time, as they aim to break a 14-year playoff drought and improve their current 2-4 record.
For Reddick, this season is about showing he’s worth a long-term contract.
At 30, he has the experience and stats to back it up, with 58 career sacks and a track record of consistency.
But after the holdout, he must show he’s still in top form.
The Jets are also doing everything they can to boost their playoff chances, recently trading for star receiver Davante Adams to strengthen their offense.
With Reddick back in the lineup, they’re hoping to make a serious push, starting with their next game against the Patriots in Week 8.
The holdout was a tough situation for both sides.
Reddick wanted the job security and pay he deserved, while the Jets focused on building a competitive roster within their budget.
Ultimately, both sides compromised, giving Reddick a chance to prove his worth and the Jets the defensive boost they needed.
But Reddick’s future with the Jets is still uncertain.
He’s set to become a free agent in 2025, so this year is his chance to make a strong case for a longer contract.
Whether he stays with the Jets or moves on after the season, Reddick’s return has set up an exciting story for him and the team.
For now, he focuses on helping the Jets reach the playoffs and showing why he’s one of the league’s best at getting to the quarterback.
Stay tuned—this story is just getting started!