Think about a good aspect of the New York Jets' 2023 season and it was how the defensive side of the ball responded to the offensive adversities after Aaron Rodgers' injury. The ability to create pressure was impressive, and Robert Saleh's scheme is designed exactly to do that. So don't try to correct something that's not wrong.
But the Jets created a controversial situation they didn't need. They allowed Bryce Huff to leave in free agency and sign with the Philadelphia Eagles, and to compensate for that, they acquired Eagles' edge defender Haason Reddick for a conditional third-round pick.
The team miscalculated everything . They thought Reddick had gotten to a difficult point in his relationship with the Eagles, but that he would be ok playing with the same deal for the Jets to head into free agency next offseason. They thought Reddick would be around, and maybe an extension would eventually happen.
None of this has happened so far.
Reddick wants security, and wants a new deal now. He didn't show up for mandatory minicamp , forfeited a $250,000 workout bonus and was fined $50,000 for missing the activity. Now, he hasn't (and probably won't) report to training camp , incurring additional $50,000 daily fines. On their side of things, the Jets will not negotiate with a player who isn't on the team.
Something (or someone) has got to give.
Contract situation
Haason Reddick has, in fact, a team-friendly contract. He's slated to make $14.25 million in base salary, with $500,000 available in incentives. That's why the Jets acquired him, thinking they could get a player who's had 27 sacks over the last two seasons for the price of a mid-level free agent. But that's also why Reddick doesn't want to play.
If you see how Saleh talked about Reddick right after the trade, you can also understand what they are losing with him off the field.
"Just his mental makeup and character were off the charts," Saleh said. "Everything you heard of him as a pro, he's loved and revered by his teammates. And adding him to this group, adding that knowledge, the expertise, the veteran leadership is always important. He's got a great feel for the game. He's a three-way rusher in that he can beat you around the edge, he can beat you with a counter move inside, and he can run right through your face."
The miscalculation of the situation now puts the Jets in an uncomfortable scenario. Theoretically, Reddick would start opposite Jermaine Johnson. Without him, the team has to rely on a big jump from former first-round pick Will McDonald, who didn't show much as a rookie last season.
According to ESPN , general manager Joe Douglas made an extension offer right after the trade, but he doesn't like to give veteran players a long-term deal. So essentially the offer didn't have significant guarantees beyond 2024.
Ramifications
The Jets don't have to pay Reddick's salary if he opts not to play in 2024. So they do have the cap hit now, but they can get it credited back.
The draft capital is important, but it's not exactly a huge deal. The Jets agreed to send a 2026 third-round pick to the Eagles, and it becomes a second only if he plays 67.5% of the snaps and records at least 10 sacks in 2024. If he doesn't play, it will be a third two years from now.
The biggest problem for Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh is the product they are expected to put on the field. The team is under heavy pressure after a couple of failed seasons under this leadership, and a new failure could mean a complete reset.
The free agent options now are limited — Yannick Ngakoue, Markus Golden, Tyus Browser, and Shaq Lawson seem to be the top options, but none of them would single-handedly solve the issue.
"As I've always said with pass rushers, the more the merrier," Saleh said earlier this year.
But that's not the trend around the Jets at the moment.
Related: Aaron Rodgers reportedly questioned Jets HC Robert Saleh's wording after controversial press conference
Most Popular
Comments / 0