Haason Reddick’s holdout ain’t just costing him a hefty fine; it’s about to burn a serious hole in his pocket if he skips games. The star linebacker’s $2M training camp penalty is already a bitter pill, but missing regular-season games could set him back even further.

Reddick’s 2024 Jets contract’s stacked at $14.5M, so each game check hits about $852,941. Yep, you heard it right—he’ll be tossing away over $850K per game if he sits this one out. With the season opener against the Niners on Monday Night Football on the horizon, the Jets are keeping a sharp eye on his holdout.

During the offseason, the 29-year-old’s absence cost him $50k per missed day of training camp, totaling a staggering $2.05M. With the regular season in full swing, the financial stakes are even higher. While fines were manageable, missing games translates to losing nearly a million dollars per missed appearance.

Reddick’s NYJ stint was poised to be a game-changer, bringing his Philly firepower. Last year, he notched 11 sacks, 23 QB hits, and 13 tackles for loss. And 2022? He was on fire with 16 sacks and led the NFL with five forced fumbles. His holdout leaves a big gap in New York’s defense. HC Robert Saleh’s got a tough call ahead—will the LB’s absence hurt the team, or can the Jets step up and fill the void?

New York’s rolling into their opener without Haason Reddick and facing a tough decision. Coach Saleh will have to navigate this situation carefully, balancing team needs with Reddick’s contract demands.

Robert Saleh’s calm frustration and team’s resilient resolve 

Robert Saleh’s frustration’s palpable, though he’s keeping it low-key. While he didn’t spell it out directly, the Jets’ HC hinted it’s too late for Reddick to make an appearance this week, saying, “It would be fair to draw that conclusion.” On Thursday, Saleh had left the door slightly ajar, mentioning it was still “feasible” for the LB to play if he showed up, but with game prep wrapped up, it’s clear Reddick won’t be suiting up.

Despite the uncertainty, Saleh’s keeping it positive. “When he gets here, we’ll welcome him with open arms,” he asserted. DE Jermaine Johnson is confident the team can still deliver without Reddick. “We all love him and we’re all waiting for him when he’s ready to get here,” Johnson alluded. “But we have full confidence that we’re about to go do some damage, for sure.”

With Reddick still holding out, Micheal Clemons is set to step in alongside Will McDonald. LB C.J. Mosley and DC Jeff Ulbrich are both optimistic, emphasizing that the D-line’s rotation and depth will keep the team competitive. “As far as some people not being here and people being gone, that doesn’t really make a difference,” Mosley noted. Ulbrich added, “We’re going to play really hard and really well.”

The Jets, even without Reddick, are set to make their mark. With a strong defense and a “play hard” mindset, they’re ready to make an impact, even if their new star ain’t in the lineup.