Jets owner Woody Johnson used Tuesday’s firing of head coach Robert Saleh to make a compassionate plea to Haason Reddick to end his holdout with the New York Jets amid a contract dispute.
Reddick was traded from the Eagles to the Jets this offseason with the belief that a contract extension would come with the move.
No such deal has been offered, and Reddick has decided to stay home until he gets more money.
Reddick’s camp has stood firm on his no-pay, no-play stance, with Johnson hoping a change in leadership convinces Reddick otherwise instead of reaching into his pockets to financially make the defender happy.
‘I hope that the young man can come to the team. We’d like to have Haason here,’ Johnson said. ‘We’d welcome him with open arms. I will extend that. And I haven’t talked to (interim head coach) Jeff (Ulbrich), but I think he would feel exactly the same way.’
Woody Johnson made a plea to Haason Reddick to end his holdout and come to New York
Reddick has not played this season with a contract dispute after being traded to the Jets
‘So when he gets here, he’ll find a very welcome locker room, and he’ll be able to fit right in, but he’s got to get here first.’
‘So Haason, get in your car, drive down 95 and come to the New York Jets, and we can we can meet you and give you an escort right into the building and you’ll fit right in and you’re going to love it here, and you’re going to feel welcome. And you’re going to accomplish great things with us.’
The Jets are 2-3 entering Monday’s game against the Bills, with Saleh’s firing the first of the NFL season.
New York has sky-high expectations and a short shelf life with 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
Saleh reportedly was considering firing offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, the embattled former Broncos head coach, before getting canned himself.
The Jets’ offense has primarily been seen as the issue through five games, with Reddick’s addition bolstering one of the better defenses in the NFL should it happen.
Reddick has yet to comment on any of the Jets’ changes throughout the day.
In 2022, Reddick signed a deal worth $15million annually that expires at the end of the season.
