NY Jets send clear message to Haason Reddick with Michael Carter II extension

As the NY Jets remain embroiled in a heated contract dispute with star pass rusher Haason Reddick, the team rewarded one of their own on Tuesday, signing standout cornerback Michael Carter II to a three-year extension worth $30.75 million.

Carter becomes the first Joe Douglas draft pick to receive a multi-year extension as the team made sure to reward their homegrown star. The extension not only helps the team secure one of their core defensive pieces, but it also serves as a message to their disgruntled star pass rusher.

The Jets have maintained that they do not intend to negotiate a new deal with Reddick until he reports to the team's facility. Reddick has maintained that he doesn't intend to report without a new contract.

But by extending Carter, the Jets are sending a message to Reddick and the rest of the locker room. That message is that hard work and standout performers will be rewarded financially. As for Reddick, the message is simple.

"Show up and you could get paid too."

The NY Jets sent a clear message to Haason Reddick on Tuesday

Reddick has been absent from the Jets' facility in Florham Park since his introductory press conference this past April. The former All-Pro is seeking a long-term extension and even requested a trade from the organization last month.

The issue for Reddick is that, if reports are to be believed, no team is willing to trade for him and give him the contract he's seeking. The market just isn't there, which is what makes his trade request an empty threat.

It's unclear what Reddick's long-term plan would be if he decided to extend his holdout into the regular season, but that possibility seems increasingly likely as we sit less than a week away until the Jets' regular-season opener against the San Francisco 49ers this Monday.

The Jets did restructure the contracts of both Quincy Williams and Tyler Conklin on Tuesday, fueling rumors that a Reddick resolution could be near. Reddick was also seen signing Jets memorabilia at a local charity event in Jersey City the same day.

The Carter extension is unrelated to those restructures, as his new contract won't kick in until 2025. If anything, the extension might free up more cap space in the short term, once again adding more fuel to the Reddick resolution fire.

Extending Carter before the start of the season was a sensible move on the part of Joe Douglas and Jets management. The Jets were able to lock up one of the most important players on their defense on a relative bargain of a contract before he hit free agency in the offseason.

But perhaps just as importantly, the Jets sent a message to Haason Reddick and the rest of the locker room. If Reddick wants to get paid, he has to show up and earn it.

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