If Haason Reddick doesn’t get the contract he wants this offseason, it looks like he has a backup plan.
The New York Jets acquired the edge rusher from the Philadelphia Eagles during the offseason, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
Redick, who is set to become a free agent at the end of this season, missed scheduled workouts, including overtime activities and a mandatory mini-cam, earlier this week as he continues to fight for a new contract.
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Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick practices at the NovaCare Complex on Aug. 3, 2023, in Philadelphia. (Bill Streacher – USA Today Sports)
Coach Robert Saleh said Redick’s absence from practice was “unacceptable,” but that the two had “talked” and that Redick was “in a great place mentally” and “working hard.”
Well, his Instagram story seems to convey one of Saleh’s quips, but not necessarily the latter.
Reddick posted a photo of himself dressed as a samurai in Japan with the caption “The lost samurai.”
The Jets sent a conditional 2026 third-round draft pick to the Eagles in exchange for Redick. Philadelphia’s compensation could be a second-round pick if Redick hits certain playing-time thresholds and records at least 10 sacks.
Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 2, 2022, in Philadelphia. (Bill Streacher – USA Today Sports)
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Redick, 29, finished the 2023 season with 11 sacks in 17 games with the Birds. His 50.5 sacks over the past four seasons are fourth-most in the NFL.
“He definitely brings new energy up front. He’s dynamic. He’s versatile. He can do a lot of things, but he’s a three-way rusher. He can win inside, he can win outside. He can run through guys,” Saleh said at the time of the trade.
Redick didn’t record a sack in the final five games of last season, but his decline was largely due to a late-season defensive change after Eagles coach Nick Sirianni stripped Sean Desai of defensive play-calling duties in mid-December.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick gestures to the crowd during the championship game against the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 29, 2023. (Andy Ruiz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Play calling was handed over to Matt Patricia, who implemented a new strategy.
Aaron Rodgers also sat out minicamp, but the Jets said he had a prior commitment. There have been rumors, but no confirmation, that he was attending an ayahuasca retreat.
Fox News’ Chantz Martin contributed to this report.
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