Five potential Haason Reddick destinations: Jets holdout could swing NFC playoff picture

The clock is ticking for the Jets.

The NFL season kicks off in two days and their outside linebacker, Haason Reddick, "is the only player still holding out and away from the team facility," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

With no end in sight, anything is possible in terms of how Reddick's saga with the Jets unfolds.

One thing is clear: whichever team he plays for next will benefit from having one of the league's most productive pass-rushers.

From 2020-23, Reddick was one of four defenders with at least 50 total sacks, and he has at least 10 in each of the past four seasons.

Here are five destinations that make the most sense for the talented edge defender.

5. Los Angeles Rams | Reddick could be a much-needed veteran presence for the young Rams defense. Future Hall-of-Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald retired during the offseason, and while Los Angeles has promising talent, adding Reddick could help ease some of its potential growing pains.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | In August, the Falcons pushed their chips into the center of the table for this season, adding linebacker Matt Judon and safety Justin Simmons in separate transactions.

To keep up with their division rival, the three-time defending NFC South champion Buccaneers should fortify their defense with Reddick. Tampa Bay whiffed on an earlier free-agent addition at outside linebacker, Randy Gregory. He never reported to the team facility after signing a one-year contract in April and was cut in August.

Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka are Tampa's projected starters at outside linebacker in its base 3-4 defensive package. Reddick is a better alternative and provides the experience the Bucs sought in signing Gregory.

3. San Francisco 49ers | The Niners have already had one heck of a week , ending contract disputes with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and offensive tackle Trent Williams while running back Christian McCaffrey (strained calf) returned to practice. Why not add a trade for Reddick?

He'd form a potent pass-rushing duo with Nick Bosa. San Francisco added Chase Young at last year's trade deadline on a rental and watched him leave in free agency.

The 49ers signed veteran edge-rusher Leonard Floyd in free agency. While he tied a career-high in sacks (10.5) last season with the Bills, Pro Football Focus credited him with a 37 percent missed tackle rate, the highest among 100 edge-defenders who played at least 340 defensive snaps.

Already a projected $40 million over the estimated 2025 salary cap ( h/t Over The Cap ), San Francisco might not be able to give Reddick the long-term extension he seeks. But if he's desperate to leave New York, there aren't many places better he can chase a Super Bowl than with the 49ers.

2. Detroit Lions | The Lions added oft-injured Marcus Davenport in free agency to start opposite 2022 No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson. For a team with championship aspirations, Detroit needs an insurance policy at outside linebacker.

The Lions ranked 26th in ESPN's 2023 pass-rush win-rate rankings , while Reddick was eighth among individual edge-defenders, beating his blocker within 2.5 seconds 67 times in 303 plays.

1. New York Jets | Here's a novel idea: how about the Jets pay the guy they traded for?

The front office has said it won't part with Reddick , which is one of the few smart things it's done during this ordeal.

The first was the trade for Reddick.

During the offseason, New York landed the two-time Pro Bowler in what looked like a steal, sending a 2026 third-round pick to the Eagles that could improve to a second-rounder if Reddick "reaches 67.5 percent of playing time and at least 10 sacks" ( h/t NFL.com ).

He was projected to take over for homegrown talent Bryce Huff, who left for Philadelphia in free agency.

With aging quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 40, coming off a season-ending torn Achilles, New York's time as a Super Bowl contender is finite.

It must cut the nonsense and sign Reddick to an extension. New York doesn't have a moment to waste.