NY Jets have no reason to entertain Haason Reddick's fake trade request

NY Jets defensive end Haason Reddick officially requested a trade from the organization Monday afternoon following months of back-and-forth negotiations about his current contract situation.

Reddick is doing everything he can to force the Jets' hand, and his trade request is possibly a last-ditch effort to exhaust whatever leverage he still has. Unfortunately for him, it's likely not going to work.

The Jets released a statement shortly after Reddick's trade request became public, insisting that the team had no plans to trade their disgruntled star. General manager Joe Douglas has confirmed that the Jets informed Reddick he will not be traded.

While you can certainly question a series of offseason missteps that may have contributed to this situation escalating, the Jets are correct in their current stance. Under no circumstances should the team consider trading him, nor should they entertain giving him a long-term extension.

Despite Reddick's formal request, don't expect the All-Pro pass rusher to actually be traded.

Why the NY Jets are unlikely to trade Haason Reddick

Multiple reports suggest Reddick initially told the Jets back in April, at the time of the trade, that he planned to attend all voluntary and mandatory offseason events regardless of his contract situation.

He informed the Jets he would be willing to play out the remainder of his current deal, although the possibility for a revised contract remained on the table. That always seemed like the logical outcome. Plans changed, however.

It's not confirmed, but Reddick's stance was likely altered when the Jets traded John Franklin-Myers away for virtually nothing during the draft. His departure presented Reddick and his agent with newfound leverage, and they've spent the offseason looking to capitalize on said leverage.

The issue for Reddick is that his trade request is essentially his last-ditch effort. This was his Hail Mary.

The Jets have no incentive to entertain any Reddick trade offers. The team gave up a conditional 2026 third-round pick to acquire him in a trade. If Reddick were to sit out the entire season and sign a new contract with another team in the offseason, the Jets would likely recoup a compensatory draft pick.

Assuming Reddick's value isn't completely tanked this season, that compensatory pick could be as high as a third-round pick in 2026. That would, for all intents and purposes, make the trade a wash for the Jets. They have absolutely no reason to consider trading him for anything less.

Perhaps even more important is the fact that it's highly unlikely that any NFL team would be willing to trade for Reddick and give him the contract he's reportedly seeking. Reports suggest Reddick is looking for a long-term extension worth $25-28 million per year.

No team is (or should be) offering that kind of money on a long-term deal for a soon-to-be 30-year-old pass rusher. The market just isn't there.

That's why this is an empty trade request, a formality if you will. Reddick and his agent likely know that no team is going to actually fulfill the request. They aren't expecting a trade — they're trying to pressure the Jets with one final leverage play.

Barring any unexpected developments, the Jets are unlikely to give in. In fact, it would be malpractice for the team to trade him for anything less than a 2026 third-round pick or for the team to cave and give him the extension he's looking for.

You can question the Jets' decision-making regarding the defensive line this offseason, but the team is handling the Hasson Reddick situation correctly at this moment. This isn't a real trade request — it's an empty threat.

More NY Jets news and analysis: