Is Haason Reddick playing tonight? Latest update on NY Jets star pass rusher
By Justin Fried
The NY Jets believed they had landed one of the best pass rushers in the NFL when they acquired Haason Reddick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this past April. And that still may be true, but unfortunately for the Jets, they have no way of knowing.
Reddick and the Jets are embroiled in a massive contract dispute that has carried into the month of September. Few could have expected Reddick's holdout would last as long as it has, and the All-Pro pass rusher is now in danger of missing regular-season games.
The Jets are set to take on the San Francisco 49ers in their season opener later tonight. The lights will be bright as Aaron Rodgers returns to the field just shy of one year to the date that he suffered a torn Achilles on Monday Night Football last season.
The Jets have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations this season, and part of that is due to the acquisition of Reddick. But will the Jets even have Reddick for their first game of the year?
Is Haason Reddick playing tonight?
Unfortunately, the Jets will not have Reddicrk when they take the field for their first game of the season against the 49ers tonight. The two-time Pro Bowler remains on the Reserve/Did Not Report list as he continues to hold out amidst his contract dispute.
Reddick is seeking a long-term extension as he enters the final year of his contract. The Jets have been open to re-working Reddick's deal to add additional guarantees and incentives, but they don't seem eager to offer a long-term extension.
That goes for the rest of the league as well. Reports suggest no team has been or currently is willing to extend Reddick at the price tag that he's seeking. Despite Reddick's trade request and continued protests, nothing is going to change that.
The Jets have maintained that they have no interest in negotiating with Reddick until he shows up to the team's facility. Reddick insists he doesn't want to show up until he has a new contract.
We've reached the point, however, where there is no end game in sight for the soon-to-be 30-year-old. If no team is willing to give Reddick the contract he wants, then his current holdout doesn't seem very logical. What's the point? How does he win in this situation?
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported last week that Reddick is willing to "die on this sword" instead of reporting to the Jets. It seems to be a matter of principle for him at this stage — there is no logical basis for his stance.
The Jets will be without one of their most talented players when they square off with the 49ers tonight. And at this point, there's no end in sight to Reddick's continued holdout.