It seems another opportunity has closed.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the NFL has blocked the New York Jets from trading Haason Reddick back to the Philadelphia Eagles. “The Jets’ situation with Haason Reddick remains unresolved, and some speculated if NYJ could trade him back to the Eagles. However, NFL rules prevent this,” Rapoport tweeted on September 30. “Teams cannot trade a player and then reacquire him until two years have passed. Reddick will not be returning to Philly.”
Reddick’s Frustration with the Jets
The discussion began when ESPN’s Rich Cimini mentioned on “The Flight Deck Podcast” that Reddick might be open to a return to the Eagles due to his frustrations with the Jets. “A little birdie told me that Reddick wouldn’t be opposed to going back to Philadelphia. He’s frustrated with the Jets situation, having requested a trade in August,” Cimini said.
Despite Reddick’s willingness to return to the City of Brotherly Love, it’s not happening. Earlier, ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler dismissed the possibility of a trade to the Dallas Cowboys as well, citing financial reasons.
Reddick was traded from the Eagles to the Jets at the end of March and was introduced at a press conference on April 1. Since then, he has missed the entire offseason, preseason, and the first month of the 2024 season.
Originally scheduled to earn $14.25 million with the Jets in 2024, Reddick has since lost $9.06 million this season due to missed game checks, mandatory NFL fines, and discretionary team fines, as reported by Cimini.
Speculation Surrounding the Trade
Rapoport’s mention of the NFL rule might indicate that both Jets GM Joe Douglas and Eagles GM Howie Roseman at least explored the possibility of a trade. With Reddick absent from the Jets and Bryce Huff underperforming with the Eagles, a one-for-one trade had seemed plausible.
However, Rapoport’s news makes that trade impossible. The Jets need to bolster their pass rush, whether through Reddick or another addition. Although they rank among the top five teams in the NFL with 14 total sacks, they failed to register any against the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Without Reddick or Jermaine Johnson, generating pressure has been a challenge.