Haason Reddick holdout could extend into regular season if NY Jets don't back down

Everyone assumed the Haason Reddick situation would be handled by now. Most were under the impression that Reddick and the NY Jets would be able to work out some sort of agreement before the start of training camp last month.

Instead, we're now nearly three weeks into Jets training camp with the team's preseason opener right around the corner and the two sides don't appear to be any closer to reaching a deal. That's an issue.

Reddick has accumulated over $1 million in fines with an additional $50,000 getting tagged on every day he misses. The fines are adding up fast, but the All-Pro pass rusher hasn't budged. How long could this situation drag out?

Well, if you ask The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, there's a possibility this could extend into the regular season. Reddick might legitimately miss regular season games unless the Jets cave over the next few weeks.

When will the NY Jets put an end to the Haason Reddick situation?

On a recent episode of the "Can't Wait Podcast," Rosenblatt insisted that "it feels like this could go into the regular season," referring to Reddick's ongoing holdout. He did add that all it takes is Reddick to give in and show up to camp, but that hasn't happened to this point.

Reddick is entering the final year of his contract with no guarantees left on his current deal. He's set to make just $15 million in 2024, which is well below his market value. Understandably, Reddick wants a new contract.

The Jets are reportedly willing to re-work Reddick's deal with added incentives and a substantial pay raise this season, but Reddick is looking for more of a long-term extension. The Jets don't have any interest in that at this time, hence the standoff.

It's still in the best interest of both parties to get a deal done as soon as possible. The Jets want their star pass rusher and prized offseason addition in the building, and Reddick knows he's not going to get paid unless he shows up. Both sides should be motivated for the same outcome.

That's why it's surprising this situation has dragged out as long as it has. Reddick is calling the Jets' bluff, hoping that a win-now team with jobs on the line will blink and give him his extension. The Jets don't seem to have any plans to cave.

This situation is essentially one giant (and expensive) game of football chicken. Neither side wants to give in and cave, but eventually someone is going to fold. That might not be for quite some time, however.

Reddick's holdout extending into the regular season would be, to put it bluntly, an unmitigated disaster for a Jets organization that desperately needs to win in 2024. They can't have that happen.

The longer this situation drags out, the messier it becomes for both sides. Only time will tell if Reddick or the Jets get their way, but both sides should be very motivated to ensure this doesn't result in the former missing regular season games.

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