Holdouts: Commonplace or Exception?
In the landscape of the NFL, holdouts stretching into the regular season are a rarity. The majority of contract disputes are typically settled before the first down of Week 1 is even played. However, Haason Reddick's current situation with the New York Jets is one such rare exception that has captured the attention of the football world.
From Philadelphia to the Big Apple
Reddick, who was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of April for a conditional 2026 third-round pick, has been a formidable force on the field. Last season, he significantly outperformed his three-year, $45 million contract with the Eagles, achieving a career-high 16 sacks and maintaining double-digit sack numbers for four consecutive seasons. This performance certainly set high expectations among Jets fans following the trade.
The Financial Toll of a Holdout
Despite his accomplishments, Reddick's holdout has led to substantial financial penalties. The Jets fined him $101,716 for his absence from the mandatory June minicamp. Furthermore, according to league rules, Reddick incurred $50,000 fines for each of the 41 days he missed during training camp, which totaled to a staggering $2.05 million. His decision to stay away resulted in additional penalties of one week's base salary for each preseason game missed, amounting to $2.375 million from three games.
Each week he remains absent during the regular season costs him $791,667 in base salary. After missing the game against the New England Patriots, his total lost salary reaches $2.375 million. Moreover, the Jets have the option to reclaim part of his signing bonus, specifically the $2.743 million prorated amount for his 2024 contract year.
A History of Holdouts
Reddick's case brings to mind several other notable NFL holdouts. In 2015, Kam Chancellor's 54-day holdout moved nearly $3.1 million forward in his contract. However, Chancellor ended his holdout after the Seattle Seahawks lost their second game of the season. More recently, Chris Jones underwent a 51-day holdout in 2023, incurring about $3.25 million in fines and lost wages. Jones returned to the field with some adjustments to his contract, though a long-term deal remains elusive.
Other players like Duane Brown and Melvin Gordon have also held out, with varying outcomes. Brown's 2017 holdout concluded without a new contract and led to his trade to the Seahawks. Gordon's 2019 standoff ended after four weeks, paving the way for Austin Ekeler to shine in his stead. Le'Veon Bell went as far as boycotting the entire 2018 season rather than playing under a franchise tag, becoming the first franchise player to sit out a full season since Dan Williams in 1998.
Trent Williams's 2019 holdout stemmed from dissatisfaction with both his medical treatment and contract; he, too, saw no changes upon his return. These cases illustrate the varying degrees of success and repercussions associated with holding out.
The Path Forward
The Jets have taken a firm stance, insisting that Reddick must end his holdout before any contract discussions can commence. They even dismissed a trade request from Reddick during training camp. With the trade deadline aligned with Week 9, extending to November 5, time is of the essence.
The NFLPA has highlighted that the deadline for signing unsigned franchise and transition players, as well as draft picks and restricted free agents, is the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season. This translates to November 12 for this year. Should Reddick choose to sit out the entire season, his contract might be tolled for a full year, a potential legal quagmire reminiscent of the Seattle Seahawks' 1999 loss in a grievance when they attempted to extend Joey Galloway's contract by a year due to his holdout.
The Implications
Reddick's holdout not only affects his financial standing but also carries significant implications for the Jets' defense and locker room dynamics. As the team navigates through the early weeks of the season without one of its star players, the pressure mounts for both sides to reach an amicable resolution. Whether Reddick and the Jets can find common ground remains to be seen, but this holdout serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between player performance, contract expectations, and the business side of professional football.
As the NFL season progresses, all eyes will be on Haason Reddick and the New York Jets, waiting to see if a resolution can be reached, and if so, at what cost.