After six months of waiting, edge rusher Haason Reddick was finally back in the Jets’ headquarters again Monday.
Reddick ended his holdout after he and the team agree to a reworked contract that will pay him the rest of his base salary and gives him a chance to recoup some of the nearly $12 million he lost in fines during the holdout.
“He’s fired up,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “Ready to get rolling with us. Got a few things from a physical standpoint that he’s got to get assessed, but then he’s going to be fully integrated into all we do.”
Reddick has had double-digit sacks in each of the last four seasons and can help the Jets pass rush improve.
“It’s another like real productive speed element from our rush package,” Ulbrich said. “So excited about adding him to the fold. As we all know, we’re at our best when we rush four and he’ll allow us to do that.”
Ulbrich said he won’t know if Reddick can play Sunday against the Patriots until later in the week.
“I think it’s a little too early to say that,” Ulbrich said. “You know, we got to see more. Looks like he’s in great spirits, he says in great shape. Obviously, he’s got to get out there and spend some time with this first for us to make that decision.”
Some people may wonder if the Jets players will welcome Reddick after he stayed away for the first seven games of the season, but everyone seems to be ready to accept him.
“I’m super excited about Haason,” defensive lineman Solomon Thomas said. “We’re going to welcome with open arms. We’re happy for him. We’re happy that the whole doubts over and that he that he gets his money that he deserves. He’s an amazing player. And I can’t wait to be his teammate. Can’t wait to have him here. And can’t wait to get to know him better and play football with him. He’s a great player.”
Ulbrich did not have any updates on any of the players injured in Sunday’s loss.
He did say guard Xavier Newman, who suffered a scary neck injury, was able to travel home with the team after going to a Pittsburgh hospital for tests during the game.
Ulbrich on Davante Adams, who caught three passes for 30 yards in his Jets debut: “I thought he played well. Absolutely. He had some. And obviously there’s some things he’d want back. You know, as there always will be. I think one of the favorite snaps of this game, though, was the interception that was thrown. And at the time of the interception, he was the farthest human being from that ball. And he ultimately was the one that tackled him at the one yard line. So what an amazing demonstration of how connected he already is to this locker room and what he’s willing to do for him.”