Haason Reddick took unusual vacation while skipping Jets minicamp

Aug 3, 2023; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick during practice at Novacare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Haason Reddick raised eyebrows this week with his unexpected absence from the New York Jets’ mandatory minicamp. The Jets are unlikely to be any more sympathetic once they discover what Reddick was up to instead.

Reddick shared a video on his Instagram story of himself strolling in Tokyo. The defensive lineman was dressed for the trip, and captioned the video “The Lost Samurai.”

Haason Reddick has skipped the #Jets mandatory team meetings and is currently in Japan cosplaying 🤔 https://t.co/smQvyD8J20 pic.twitter.com/N9iPAwbHUY

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 21, 2024

The Jets made clear that Reddick had been expected at minicamp, and his absence was a surprise. If Reddick flew off to Japan instead of going to camp, it clearly was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Reddick was traded to the Jets in late March, with the team sending a conditional third-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire him. He has one year and $14 million left on his contract, and the two sides appeared content to play out the season with that arrangement. At some point, it appears Reddick may have changed his mind.

It is unclear if Reddick plans to show up for training camp. He will be fined $50,000 per day if he does not.