Insider shares concerning update on Jets, Haason Reddick contract situation

As had been expected, New York Jets pass-rusher Haason Reddick remained away from the team amid his desire for a lucrative contract extension through the club's humbling 32-19 season-opening loss at the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. 

NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic indicated in an update shared on Tuesday that Reddick won't be rushing into the team facility without a new deal anytime soon as the Jets prepare to play at the 0-1 Tennessee Titans this coming Sunday. 

"There is still no resolution to the holdout," Russini explained. "I was told by a league source that Reddick is operating with the 'mindset that he will die on this hill.' He will forfeit his $791,666 game check for this (and every other game) he skips."

The Jets first became a win-now team when they acquired future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers in April 2023. More recently, New York landed Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles this past spring to further bolster what was already advertised to be one of the NFL's best overall defenses. 

As Colin Martin of SNY pointed out, however, the Reddick-less Jets surrendered 401 total yards of offense against the 49ers and allowed backup running back Jordan Mason to rush for 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries with star ball-carrier Christian McCaffrey sidelined because of an injury. 

Whether or not Reddick would've made a difference at San Francisco's Levi's Stadium will never be known, but having him against a Tennessee offense that features one-time Pro Bowl selection Tony Pollard at running back certainly wouldn't hurt.

"The Jets do not gain additional cap space for those game-checks, though — he currently counts $0 on their cap because he's on the reserve/did not report list," Russini added about the Reddick situation. "If/when Reddick returns, his prorated salary will count against their cap immediately, and the Jets won't get a cap credit for the games he skips because they never appeared on the cap. So basically, the only financial consideration is that Reddick is losing a lot of money. And the Jets lack a much-needed piece of their defense."

It's widely believed Jets owner Woody Johnson could part ways with general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh if the team misses the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season. Thus, it defies logic that the Jets also seem willing to "die on this hill" regarding Reddick's status with Rodgers set to turn 41 years old this coming December.