JETS DE HAASON REDDICK DROPPED BY HIS AGENCY FOLLOWING SIX-MONTH HOLD OUT, SUED BY FORMER BUSINESS PARTNER
Following a months long standoff between player and team, Pro Bowl defensive end Haason Reddick’s representative agency, CAA, have announced that they have parted ways with the 30-year-old pass rusher.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Reddick has received all sorts of advice from his representation and conversations were held on his behalf to end his “hold out” but to no avail. Reddick apparently stopped responding and is not talking to anyone as he demands a long-term extension. The eighth-year man hasn’t reported to the New York Jets since he was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles in March and has accrued millions in fines.
Reddick has already missed five games this season, forfeiting nearly $800,000 per game and over $4 million so far, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Through mandatory minicamp and training camp, the former Temple Owl has also accumulated more than $5 million in NFL-mandated fines.
With Reddick not responding to any conversations by his representation to end the hold out and reach some sort of understanding with the New York Jets, his agents, Creative Artists Agency, decided to end the relationship with their client on Friday. Reddick is currently in conversation to find new representation.
The latest development comes just three days after Jets owner Woody Johnson publicly offered Reddick a pathway to rejoin the team. “This is something I’ve never seen before,” said Johnson this past Tuesday. “I don’t think any of us has seen anything like this. I think you have to be part psychologist and part some other [profession] to try to figure out what is actually going on.”
“I hope that the young man can come to the team. We’d like to have Haason here, we’d welcome him with open arms. I will extend that, I haven’t talked to [interim HC] Jeff [Ulbrich] but I think he would feel exactly the same way. When he gets here, he would find a very welcoming locker room, he would be able to fit right in but he’s got to get here first.”
Johnson went as far ahead as to address Reddick directly, asking him to rejoin the team and end his holdout. “Haason, get in your car, drive down 95 and come to the New York Jets,” said Johnson. “We can meet you and give you an escort right into the building. And you’ll fit right in and you’re going to love it here. And you’re going to feel welcome and you’re going to accomplish great things with us.”
Scheduled to become a free agent in 2025, Reddick is the NFL’s final holdout and still stands a chance to cash in next offseason if he rejoins the Jets and has a standout campaign. However, Reddick’s hold out currently has no end in sight.
Per the Philadelphia Inquirer, the former Arizona Cardinals first-round pick is also being sued by Micah Khan who filed a lawsuit in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas last week claiming the veteran pass rusher hasn’t paid him a debt worth $1.6 million following the sale of a senior care center in Philadelphia.
The lawsuit says that Reddick and Khan reached an agreement that stipulated the latter would receive half of the sale proceeds if Reddick sold the company. Khan was contracted in 2021 to take over marketing and business development of the senior care company due to the enterprise’s struggles under Reddick’s father Raymond Matthews and administrator, Tia Wright. The home, Haven Home Health Agency, was sold in April to MNH Pa. Home Care Acquisitions for $3.25 million.
Between the lawsuit and the hold out, the Jets DE is having a hectic few weeks and has still yet to make a decision on whether he plans to return to play this year. The Jets, however, remain open to welcoming Reddick to the organization and joining one of the best defenses in the league.
New York next takes on the four-time defending AFC East champions, the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football in what will be a significant game for the division. A win would see the Jets take control of the AFC East and lead the division at 3-3 while a loss would drop them to 2-4 and a 1-1 record in division.
A tumultuous few weeks are also expected for the Jets ahead of the November 5th trade deadline. The Jets fired Head Coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday following their 23-17 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in London and are thought to be active players in the trade market. New York is believed to be open to acquiring WR Davante Adams, who is a strong trade candidate following his fallout with Las Vegas Raiders HC Antonio Pierce two weeks ago.
The Jets are in a make or break season this year with quarterback Aaron Rodgers turning 41 in December and need everyone in the building and on board, including Haason Reddick. Hence why Reddick’s holdout is viewed by many as a situation that needs solving sooner rather than later.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
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