Jets HC Robert Saleh’s update on Haason Reddick’s holdout: ‘I still have nothing’

It has been two weeks since New York Jets players reported for training camp.

But there’s still no sign showing when Haason Reddick will appear.

Gang Green had its 10th training camp practice on Monday and head coach Robert Saleh didn’t have anything to report on when the two-time Pro Bowler might appear.

“I still have nothing,” Saleh said.

Reddick is in the final year of the three-year, $45 million deal he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. The Jets traded for Reddick in the spring in a move they believed would further fortify its defense, which finished in the top five each of the last two years. In the previous four seasons, Reddick has registered 50.5 sacks.

Reddick’s fines have accumulated since he didn’t report for Jets training camp on July 23. He is being fined $50,000 each day and is subject to a 15% forfeiture of his prorated bonus, according to the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement. That forfeiture increases by 1% each day Reddick is absent for training camp up to 25%.

This doesn’t even include the $50,000 fine Reddick received for missing mandatory minicamp in June and the $250,000 workout bonus he was scheduled to receive for missing the Jets spring offseason program.

Saleh told reporters last week that he is “assuming” the Jets will levy the additional fines. However, the Jets could potentially add multiple incentives to Reddick’s contract to get him to report for training camp, which the Chiefs did with defensive tackle Chris Jones last year. This would still allow Reddick to test free agency after the 2024 season.

Before the trade was made, the Jets offered Reddick a contract extension, according to sources, which would have been a raise from the $14.25 million he is scheduled to receive in 2024. But Reddick declined the offer and the Jets decided to trade for the 29-year-old anyway after losing sack-leader Bryce Huff to the Eagles.

“I guess it doesn’t matter what I thought at the time,” Saleh said about the trade for Reddick. “But the reality is he is not here. We are preparing a bunch of guys who are here, who are working their tails off.”

Not only do the Jets need Reddick to replace Huff’s production but also John Franklin-Myers and Quinton Jefferson’s as well. Weeks after Reddick was acquired, the Jets traded Franklin-Myers to the Broncos. Jefferson signed a one-year contract with the Browns during the offseason.

Together, the Jets are missing 19.5 sacks between the losses of Huff, Franklin-Myers, and Jefferson. Saleh doesn’t seem concerned about the time Reddick has missed.

“There’s examples of players like Aaron Donald, Chris Jones who didn’t show up until Week 1 and they did just fine,” Saleh said.

“Players come and go all the time, unfortunately. You are always having to make adjustments on the fly. It isn’t the easiest position, but it is the last position I’m worried about getting caught up to speed.”

One of those players who could be the biggest beneficiary of Reddick’s holdout is second-year defensive end Will McDonald. The Jets selected McDonald 15th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he rarely played during his rookie campaign. He finished with 14 tackles and three sacks in 15 games in a rotational role.

Coming into training camp, Jets’ coaches feel like McDonald is stronger than he was a season ago despite still being listed at 236 pounds. During the offseason, they challenged him to become a better run defender and an every-down player.

During Monday’s practice, McDonald registered a sack on Rodgers and has made splashes throughout training camp. McDonald’s teammates also have noticed a difference in him.

“His maturity,” Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson said about the differences in McDonald in his second season. “He’s ready, he understands that his time is coming up and that’s one of the things that I’ve said to him all the time, ‘your time is coming and make sure you’re ready.’

“He has been every step of the way and I’m excited for him.”

Rodgers, Jets’ offense struggle

Two days after their Green and White scrimmage, the team’s offense and Aaron Rodgers had a rough day.

Rodgers completed 4-of-8 passes and was intercepted by Jamien Sherwood after the pass bounced off Jeremy Ruckert’s hands. Injuries to the receiving corps have played a role in the ups and downs of the Jets’ offense throughout training camp.

Mike Williams is still working his way back from the ACL tear he suffered last year with the Chargers. Allen Lazard missed a day last week after suffering a violent hit during 11-on-11 drills.

Xavier Gipson has been out the last week due to an injury. Malik Taylor is also out because of a shoulder issue. The Jets’ next test will be on Thursday in a joint practice with the Commanders before Saturday’s preseason opener.

Jets left tackle Tyron Smith didn’t practice for the third consecutive day due to tightness in his “lower extremity,” according to Saleh. Smith is expected to practice on Tuesday.

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