Could the Jets and pass rusher Haason Reddick be close to a resolution?
Reddick and the Jets have “progressed positively this week,” and there is optimism that he could join the team and get acclimated during training camp soon, according to NFL reporter Josina Anderson.
But when asked about Reddick potentially showing up for training camp next week, Jets coach Robert Saleh had little to say on Saturday.
“Until he’s here, he’s not,” Saleh said. “But it is good to hear.”
The Jets acquired Reddick in a spring trade with the Eagles in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick that can become a second-round pick if he plays at least 67.5% of snaps in 2024.
This season will be the final year of Reddick’s three-year, $45 million contract he signed with the Eagles before the 2022 season.
Reddick, 29, and the Jets discussed a contract extension before he was traded to the Jets, according to sources, which would have been more than the $14.5 million base salary he will receive in 2024. But he rejected the offer and Reddick skipped all of the Jets’ offseason programs, including OTAs and the two-day mandatory minicamp. Despite that, the Jets still decided to go through with the trade for Reddick.
Because he missed Gang Green’s offseason program, Reddick missed out on a $250,000 workout bonus. He was also fined more than $50,000 for missing the two days of mandatory minicamp.
Reddick has missed four days of training camp after not reporting on Tuesday. According to the NFL collective bargaining agreement, he will be fined $50,000 for every day he misses. Fines for missing training camp practices cannot be waived under the CBA.
The Jets are counting on Reddick to produce this season after critical losses on the defensive line. During the offseason, the Jets lost Bryce Huff, John Franklin-Myers and Quinton Jefferson, who accounted for 19.5 sacks last year. Huff (Eagles) and Jefferson (Browns) departed in free agency, and Franklin-Myers was traded to the Broncos in April for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Since 2021, Reddick has registered four consecutive double-digit sack seasons (50.5 overall). Last season, the Jets finished eighth in the league in sacks (48). They also were third in yards (292.3) and 12th in points allowed (20.9 per game).
After practicing four consecutive days to open camp, the Jets will have Sunday off before their first padded practice on Monday. Even if Reddick were to return to the team, there would be an acclimation period, especially since he did not attend any of the OTAs and minicamp practices in the spring.
“We’ll see. I haven’t made that decision yet,” Saleh said about what an acclimation period could potentially look like for Reddick.
VERA-TUCKER RETURNS: ‘FEELS GREAT’
The last two seasons have been difficult for right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.
In 2022, a torn biceps ended his season after seven games. Last year, Vera-Tucker tore his Achilles in a game against the Broncos and missed the final 12 games.
During OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Vera-Tucker, 25, was rehabbing with the goal of returning for the start of training camp. However, the Jets decided to ease him back during the first two summer practices. But on Friday, the four-year player participated in 11-on-11 team drills for the first time since his injury.
“It feels good to be back out there,” Vera-Tucker said. “It’s something that you really miss when you’re not out there.
“Missing OTAs hurt, but it is what it is and it had to be done. But being back out there for camp, I’m loving it, feeling great, and just mentally, feeling really good.
“The Achilles feels good, never feel that during practice. If anything, it is typical football soreness. It’s good to go.”
The last couple of years, Vera-Tucker has played four of the five offensive line positions. This year, the Jets want to keep him at right guard, which they believe will preserve his health. So they went out and signed left tackle Tyron Smith and John Simpson and acquired Morgan Moses in a trade with the Ravens.
Gang Green will hope to avoid the injury bug on its offensive line, unlike in the previous two seasons. In 2022, 11 different players started games on the offensive line. Last year, the Jets had 14 different offensive line combinations in 17 games, which led the league.
With three new faces on the offensive line this season, gaining chemistry and continuity will be vital throughout training camp.
“The O-Line is always the engine that gets the car moving,” Saleh said. “Obviously, you have all the other parts, but you guys know me O-Line, D-Line, but it’s good.
“We got depth, really excited about the guys that we have in that room and even more so I just love the mentality of the group. They’re all here. They all want to work. They are willing to do the extra and you can’t ask for much more than that.”
