Jets general manager Joe Douglas addressed Haason Reddick's strike for the first time on Thursday and didn't offer any optimistic outlook.
Douglas said he hasn't spoken directly to the defensive end since he was at the Jets' facility on April 1, and he hasn't had any recent conversations with Redick's agent, Tory Dandy.
“Nothing has changed on our side,” Douglas said. “Obviously [I have] “We have a lot of respect for Hurson and we look forward to him arriving. He will be welcomed with open arms.”
The Jets traded Redick to the Eagles in late March in hopes of adding a pass rusher to their defense after losing Bryce Huff in free agency. Redick was unhappy with his contract in Philadelphia, which is making him $14.25 million this season.
The Jets offered Redick a contract extension before the trade happened, but he turned it down, and they believe he will remain available and play under his current deal, meaning further contract negotiations could take place in the meantime.
Redick has been absent since his first visit to Florham Park, missing all of training camp and being fined $50,000 per day, plus additional fines for missing the three preseason games.
The question many are wondering is why the Jets made the trade without first reaching a contract agreement with Redick.
“Long story short, we discussed a contract extension,” Douglas said, “and when we couldn't come to an agreement, we had the discussions and were happy to do a trade. Obviously, he came here, reported, had a great day and, again, we're just waiting for him to get here.”
The Jets open the season on Sept. 9 against the 49ers and are looking to make a Super Bowl run with the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a thriving offense. Redick's absence is the only cloud hanging over the team.
“It wasn't out of frustration,” Douglas said. “Obviously I made the decision to move him because I have a lot of respect for him as a player and as a person. I think he's going to help us win games. And I had a really good feeling about the discussions leading up to the trade and the discussions in the moment. So, again, I'm excited to have him on our team if he decides to come.”
Douglas said the team has communicated “clearly and directly” with Redick's representatives, but stressed that adjusting Redick's contract, who has never played for the Jets, could create problems with other Jets players who are already with the team and in the final years of their contracts.
“I don't have the advantage of only dealing with one person or one agent,” Douglas said, “A lot of the decisions I make resonate in the locker room and have a ripple effect in the locker room, so to me, that is and always will be the most important thing.”
Redick requested a trade earlier this month, but Douglas released a statement saying the team would not honor the request.
“That hasn't changed,” Douglas said.
Douglas said the message to Redick's camp was that he didn't want to discuss a contract adjustment until he was actually in Florham Park, which likely explains the lack of talks recently.
“I wouldn't say we've stopped communicating,” Douglas said. “We haven't had any conversations recently, but the phone lines are open.”
