Jets owner sends extraordinary message to AWOL Haason Reddick after firing coach Robert Saleh
Jets owner Woody Johnson used the firing of head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday to make a sympathetic plea to Haason Reddick to terminate his contract with the New York Jets amid a contract dispute.
Reddick was traded from the Eagles to the Jets this offseason under the belief that the move would come with a contract extension.
No such deal has been offered and Reddick has decided to stay home until he gets more money.
Reddick’s camp continues to stick to its no-pay, no-play stance, with Johnson hoping a change in leadership will convince Reddick otherwise rather than reaching into his pockets to make the defender financially happy.
‘I hope the young man can come to the team. We would like to have Haason here,” Johnson said. ‘We would welcome him with open arms. I’ll extend that. And I haven’t spoken to (interim head coach) Jeff (Ulbrich) yet, but I think he would feel exactly the same way.”
Woody Johnson appealed to Haason Reddick to end his stay and come to New York
Reddick has not played this season with a contract dispute after being traded to the Jets
“So when he gets here, he will find a very welcome dressing room, and he will be able to fit right in, but he has to get here first.”
“So Haason, get in your car, drive down 95 and come to the New York Jets, and we can meet you and give you an escort right into the building and you’ll fit right in and you’ll love it here, and you will feel welcome. And you will achieve great things together with us.’
The Jets are 2-3 heading into Monday’s game against the Bills, with Saleh firing his first of the NFL season.
New York has sky-high expectations and a short shelf life with 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
Saleh reportedly considered firing offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, the controversial former head coach of the Broncos, before being fired himself.
The Jets’ offense was largely seen as the problem through five games, with the addition of Reddick bolstering one of the better defenses in the NFL should that happen.
Reddick has not yet commented on the Jets’ changes throughout the day.
In 2022, Reddick signed a deal worth $15 million per year that expires at the end of the season.