After missing the first seven games of the season, Haason Reddick is finally back. The star linebacker has agreed to a reworked one-year deal and is expected to make his debut for the New York Jets in Week 8.
The Jets acquired Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles in March in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. However, Reddick and the Jets were unable to reach an agreement on a new deal, and he decided to sit out.
Yet, after hiring Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent, the two-time Pro Bowler was able to get back on good terms with the Jets and will be back on the field in Week 8.
Haason Reddick’s New Deal Draws Criticism From Fans
Reddick will be a free agent after the season, and fans on social media believe that the player’s holdout resulted in nothing. The fans also criticized the linebacker, who paid $12 million in fines during his holdout.
What a joke of a holdout
— how bout those CHIEFS (@hbtCHIEFS) October 26, 2024
“What did the holdout accomplish?” questioned one fan.
“All that for a 1 year contract, smh,” said another fan.
One of the dumbest hold out in sport history, this made 0 sense man…oh well, it's official he's a jet, for now,that is….😏 #jets #jetup https://t.co/1iN6tCFCmo pic.twitter.com/riucCQdDvr
— THE BOSS (@BOSS5__) October 26, 2024
“1-year deal? So they traded away a 3rd round pick for a half-season rental pass rusher on a defunct squad that’s probably not making the playoffs? Cool. Genius,” said one fan.
This was all much ado about nothing https://t.co/bsdmwwYMwO
— Ladi Dadi (@Loki_013) October 26, 2024
Reddick is a difference-maker on the field. He’s had four straight seasons with double-digit sacks, and the Jets will hope that the former Eagles player will help them achieve their goals this year.
In two seasons with Philadelphia, Reddick totaled 64 solo tackles, 23 assists, 27.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
In last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York’s defense gave up 37 points. For the season, they’re giving up an average of 20.7 points and 311.3 total yards of offense per game.
With Robert Saleh gone, pressure is now on interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich to ensure that the defense gets back to the level that we have grown accustomed to seeing in the last few seasons.
Jets Aim To Snap 4-Game Losing Streak in Week 8
The Jets started the season 2-1, but they’ve lost four straight games since then. Even with quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the offense has not played well, and there are growing concerns within the franchise.
The Jets are in a must-win situation in Week 8, where they will play the New England Patriots. New York has already defeated the Patriots once this season (24-3 in Week 3). With the addition of Davante Adams and the return of Reddick, the Jets should be able to get the job done against the 1-6 Patriots.
New York’s defense is more than likely to play better than it did last week against the Steelers, but the offense also needs to step up. The Jets are averaging 18.3 points and 224.6 passing yards per game, which is simply unacceptable given who their quarterback is and the players he has around him.
Following the Patriots, the Jets will face the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Indianapolis Colts. If New York wants to remain in the race to the playoffs, they must win all these games and make a statement.
If the Jets lose to the Patriots, however, we could see New York decide to pivot and trade away some players to load up on draft capital and go again next season.