And it goes on and on… Haason Reddick’s standing his ground. Or you could say holding back from stepping onto the gridiron as a member of the Gang Green. The holdout over the contract dispute is loud and clear. But this has given chance to the Jets DE Will McDonald to show his prowess. And boy, has he stepped up! He has even got his HC Robert Saleh singing praises for him.

“Will has done a great job taking advantage. For him, it’s kind of a blessing – without Haason being here, it’s given him a lot more reps than he would’ve taken,” Saleh said in an interview with the SNY. However, he did admit that had Haason been available, Will would not have gotten so many reps. But that’s football summed up in a nutshell. And also, no one knows when Reddick will be back.

He doesn’t know it either. Guess that’s why the ex-Eagles is busy sending cryptic messages via his X account: “God will always make a way 🙏🏾.” Sure he would. But, Proverbs chapter 16 verse 9 states: “The mind of a man plans his way. But the lord directs his steps.” One can only hope for Haason Reddick’s sake that he has a plan, because if not, then his place is in jeopardy at the Jets.

This X post was hours before the Jets dismantled the Pats with a stellar 24-3 victory. And for Reddick, Will McDonald’s performance would have come as a punch to the gut because he’s losing his spot in Saleh’s team, for sure, with every game he’s missing.

Will McDonald is making the most out of Haason Reddick’s holdout

The Athletic’s Jets’ beat writer Zack Rosenblatt summed up the whole scenario perfectly with this X post, reading: “Will McDonald so far tonight: 1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits. Haason Reddick so far tonight: Lost $791,666.” Ouch, right? To make things worse, McDonald’s is off to a blazing start this season, with 4.5 sacks in just three games. His performance against the Patriots? Pure disruption.

NBC Sports’ Josh Alper wrote it beautifully, reminding everyone of Jermaine Johnson‘s Achilles tear. When everyone thought the Jets would rush to get Haason Reddick back, instead, Will McDonald stepped up. Three sacks in Week 2 against the Titans, followed by two more against the Patriots? The dude’s making it hard for anyone to miss Reddick right now.

Now, head coach Robert Saleh hinting that Haason Reddick’s absence might be a blessing in disguise could not have come at a worse time. McDonald, a first-rounder from 2023, barely saw the field as a rookie, but now he’s showing what he can do. And with Reddick stacking up $8 million in fines, McDonald’s stock is only rising.

So, what do you think? Can McDonald keep filling the gap, or does Haason Reddick need to suit up ASAP to help this already fierce defense?