Jets Depth Puts Haason Reddick in Difficult Position

If Haason Reddick were holding out as a member of the New York Jets just a year or two ago, he’d probably be having much different experience right now.  Rather than sitting and waiting for an offer he likes while missing critical practices, he would likely be signed already.  But things have changed in a hurry for the Jets.

Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Long desperate for somebody who can get to the quarterback, that’s no longer the case for the Jets.  By developing Quinnen Williams, drafting Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald while adding a bulked up Javon Kinlaw, the Jets don’t look to be feeling any pressure to create pressure.

The team has every right to believe the days of longing for another pass rusher are behind them.  Be it up the middle with Williams or off the edge with Johnson and McDonald.  Jets pass rushers should be able to flourish as a result of having an elite trio of cornerbacks in Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed and Michael Carter.

The idea of a holdout from a player’s perspective is to have your team envision what life will be like without your services and not like what they see.  In the case of Reddick, the Jets probably view themselves as a team that can be a top 10 defense with our without him.  This isn’t to say Reddick won’t add value and get the Jets defense to a whole new level because he will.

However, rather than being the guy they “must have” that he would have been in recent years, Reddick is more icing on the cake that essential cog.

Not wanting to lose out on a chance to be a free agent at the end of this season, Reddick is absolutely going to show up to play this season.  It’s just a matter of when.  And for the Jets, they probably like their chances of winning games even while Reddick sits at home.

Glenn Naughton

Glenn was Born in the Bronx, New York and has followed the Jets religiously despite being stationed in several different countries and time zones around the world. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed green with the rest of us through the highs and lows.

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