New York Jets defensive back Haason Reddick is the latest player out of the NFL, and his head coach is trying not to worry about his absence.
“I mean, it's like finding coins on the couch, I guess, right?” Robert Saleh said Tuesday with a laugh, agreeing with the premise that having Reddick report in at this point would be an advantage.
Saleh continued: “But no, he is a special football player. And when he gets here, when he finally gets here, he is only going to help us.”
It’s an unusual offense because Reddick, acquired March 29 from the Philadelphia Eagles, has not set foot in the Jets’ facility since April 1, the day of his news conference and physical. He skipped all offseason activities and all training camp practices, racking up $2.05 million in mandatory fines for missing training camp. He also forfeited a $250,000 offseason workout bonus and incurred other discretionary fines.
Since the Jets have yet to see Reddick in a football setting, they may try to promote the idea that he's a luxury. But they gave up a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 draft to acquire his contract, which will pay him a non-guaranteed $14.25 million in 2024, so they obviously have big plans for him.
On Aug. 12, Reddick, who wants a contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid edge players, requested a trade. The Jets have said they have no plans to trade him. General manager Joe Douglas said last week that he won't negotiate with Reddick's agent until Reddick reports to the team.
The Jets open the season against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. They still have three full practices before the game. Saleh is not ruling out Reddick for the game.
“It's really going to depend on how he looks, if and when he shows up,” Saleh said. “We'll put him through some work with the training staff, see where he's at and then check in with him to see what we can find out.”
Saleh insisted he is not disappointed by the strike, which has stretched into its 43rd day, and expressed confidence in his other defensive linemen.
The plan was for Reddick to join Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw and Jermaine Johnson in the starting front four. Third-year backup Micheal Clemons could replace Reddick at point guard, with 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald IV playing in pass-rush situations.
The Jets lost their 2023 sack leader, Bryce Huff, in free agency to the Eagles and traded 2023 starter John Franklin-Myers to the Denver Broncos after acquiring Reddick.
