Holdouts in the NFL: Haason Reddick's Unique Case with the New York Jets
Holdouts extending into the NFL regular season are a rarity, but Haason Reddick's situation with the New York Jets has become an exceptional case. Originally traded from the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of April for a conditional 2026 third-round pick, Reddick's performance in the previous season brought unforeseen complexities to his tenure with the Jets.
Reddick's tenure with the Eagles was marked by stellar performances, highlighted by a career-high 16 sacks in his first year with the team. His consistency over four consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks significantly outstripped the expectations set by his three-year, $45 million contract. This stellar performance, however, led to contractual dissatisfaction that has since strained his relationship with the Jets.
The tension came to a head when Reddick was fined $101,716 for his absence from the mandatory June minicamp. This punitive measure did little to resolve the impasse, with Reddick continuing his holdout in hopes of renegotiating his contract. The Jets' response remained firm: no negotiations would occur until Reddick ended his holdout.
The financial ramifications of Reddick's holdout have been steep. During training camp, he incurred $50,000 fines for each of the 41 days missed, amounting to a staggering $2.05 million. Additionally, penalties for missing each preseason game equated to one week's base salary per game, resulting in a total of $2.375 million from three games.
Beyond these fines, the Jets are positioned to reclaim part of his signing bonus, specifically the $2.743 million prorated amount associated with his 2024 contract year. The financial strain continues to grow for Reddick, with each missed regular-season game costing $791,667 in base salary. His decision to sit out the game against the New England Patriots added another $791,667 to his total lost salary, bringing it to $2.375 million.
Reddick's holdout also carries potential long-term consequences. Should he choose to sit out the entire season, his contract might be tolled for a full year. The NFL's history provides a cautionary tale in the form of the Seattle Seahawks' failed attempt to extend Joey Galloway's contract by a year due to his 1999 holdout.
During training camp, Reddick's frustration reached a new peak as he requested a trade, only to be dismissed by the Jets. The looming trade deadline, aligned with Week 9 and extended to November 5, remains a crucial date for potential resolutions. Furthermore, the NFLPA has underscored that the deadline for signing unsigned franchise and transition players, draft picks, and restricted free agents is the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season. This year, that deadline falls on November 12.
The NFL has a storied past with significant holdouts that offer parallels to Reddick's situation. In 2015, Kam Chancellor held out for 54 days over contract disputes, ultimately leading to nearly $3.1 million being moved forward in his contract. He ended his holdout after Seattle's second consecutive loss of the season. Other notable cases include Duane Brown's 2017 holdout, which ended without a new contract and resulted in his trade to the Seahawks, and Melvin Gordon's 2019 holdout, which lasted until week four, giving Austin Ekeler a chance to shine in his absence.
Perhaps one of the most notable holdouts in recent memory is Le'Veon Bell, who boycotted the entire 2018 season rather than playing under a franchise tag. Bell became the first franchise player to sit out a full season since Dan Williams in 1998. More recently, Chris Jones' 51-day holdout in 2023 led to approximately $3.25 million in fines and lost wages, with only minor contract adjustments upon his return.
Trent Williams’ 2019 holdout revolved around dissatisfaction with his medical treatment and contract. Like many before him, Williams returned without seeing changes to his contract.
As Reddick continues his holdout, both his career and the Jets' season hang in the balance. The resolution of this contract impasse will likely have significant implications not only for Reddick's future but also for the financial strategies and contract negotiations of players and teams across the NFL.