Haason Reddick put on a Jets shirt on Saturday but declined to say when he’ll be putting on his new team’s uniform for the first time.
Redick, a two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher who was acquired by the Jets from the Eagles in a March 29 trade, declined a request for an interview from The Washington Post during an appearance at the team’s Family Fun and Fitness Day in his hometown of Camden.
He was given the opportunity to clarify whether he planned to attend the Jets’ mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and Wednesday amid what appears to be a contract dispute, but again he politely declined.
The 29-year-old Redick spent nearly an hour signing autographs for kids and posing for photos with a crowd of familiar faces at the same athletic field in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge where he has been working out quietly and alone during the offseason.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh said last week that Redick missed the entire voluntary offseason program, which included nine overtime practices.
Reddick has not reported to the facility since passing his entrance physical, and therefore waived a $250,000 training bonus as stipulated in his contract.
Redick had recorded 50.5 sacks over the past four seasons with the Cardinals, Panthers and Eagles and was seeking a new contract from Philadelphia prior to the trade.
He has a nonguaranteed $14.25 million remaining in the final year of his current contract, which is below the rising market value of the NFL’s top pass rushers.
Instead of signing Redick to a contract extension, the Eagles opted to sign former Jets backup defensive end Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51.1 million free-agent contract.
Optimistic Jets fans might interpret Redick and several members of his family’s decision to suit up in a Jets uniform on Saturday as a sign he’s embracing his future.
If he doesn’t, the Jets could fine Redick more than $50,000 for missing two days of minicamp.
“I’m just focused on the guys that we have here,” Saleh said during OTAs. “Haason’s a pro. He’s been in this league a long time. He’s been producing at a very high level for a long time. He has his routine.
“If it makes people feel better, we know where he is and what he’s doing.”
