Haason Reddick is a massive headache the Lions will absolutely not invite

There are two adages to note in the appropriate NFL situations: "Dysfunctional organizations do dysfunctional things", and "don't trade for a player who wants to get paid without a new contract done." The New York Jets do dysfunctional things, and they acquired edge rusher Haason Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason knowing he wanted to be paid.

Reddick has yet to take the practice field for the Jets, from OTAs, mandatory minicamp and now getting well into training camp. Reports have come from different spots saying the two sides had an understanding he'd play out his current contract, the Jets would adjust this year's money, etc., but the situation has reached it's inevitable point.

On Monday, Reddick formally requested a trade. The Jets quickly released a statement from general manager Joe Douglas saying they will not trade him, and he will continue to be fined for his training camp absences in accordance with the CBA.

Reddick has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the league, with 50.5 sacks over the last four seasons. He also played for three teams over those four seasons, which invites its own questions.

Haason Reddick is a headache the Detroit Lions will never invite

When trade speculation around Reddick first surfaced, the Detroit Lions were easy to see as a potential suitor. They needed pass rush help, particularly when it came to edge rushers not named Aidan Hutchinson.

More recently, as his situation with the Jets has deteriorated, the Lions have been mentioned as a possible new landing spot for Reddick. In the wake of Monday's trade request, Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network offered Detroit freshly on a list of teams who could pursue Reddick.

"The Lions already have Aidan Hutchinson, who entered rarified air with a 100+ pressure season in 2023. Free agent additions like EDGE Marcus Davenport and DT DJ Reader will bolster Detroit’s pass rush, but bringing in one more piece wouldn’t be the worst idea for Dan Campbell’s squad."

"Davenport and Reader have injury questions, while John Cominsky — who played 569 snaps for the Lions a year ago — is out indefinitely after tearing his MCL in July. A team with Super Bowl aspirations might want a bit more security along their defensive line."

Detroit has over $42 million in available cap space, the third-most in the NFL. The Lions can afford to give Reddick what he wants, even if they spread his money over several years with proration and void years."

The fact the Lions have ample cap space this year is an easy crutch to lean on here. They "can" afford to give Reddick what he wants, theoretically, hypothetically and ultimately very flimsily. The idea of giving him the contract he wants falls by the wayside in favor of the culture Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell place great importance on.

Asking the Jets to trade him, after choosing not to show up after what at minimum looks to be a communication breakdown, is a red flag for any team with any possible interest in Reddick.

Such as the Lions may even have said interest on a surface level, Reddick is a headache they can easily see coming and would never invite.