After declining to give defensive end Haason Reddick a new contract, the Eagles decided to trade him to the Jets. However, despite joining the Jets, Reddick has yet to receive a new contract and has been absent from the team’s offseason workouts. This situation may come to a head this week if Reddick decides to skip the Jets’ mandatory minicamp, which would result in fines.
The potential fines for skipping mandatory activities are relatively small compared to the $250,000 workout bonus that Reddick has already missed out on by not participating. Reddick is looking for an improved contract as his current deal pays him $14.25 million in its final year. He has a strong track record of double-digit sacks over the past four years and has never missed a game in his seven-year career.
Despite his impressive performance, Reddick’s salary is significantly less than the top earners in the league, who make around $34 million. The situation raises questions about the Jets’ decision not to negotiate a new contract for Reddick at the time of the trade, which could have put them in a stronger bargaining position.
This scenario is not uncommon when teams acquire players seeking new contracts. In the case of Reddick, the Jets may have missed an opportunity to secure better terms by finalizing a new deal when the trade occurred. The decision to trade for a player demanding a new contract without negotiations in place puts the team in a difficult position and may complicate future negotiations.