‘No individual contractors’ – as Reddick saga rumbles on Jets keep it simple

“I feel like we’ve got a very close group, everybody is for everybody, no individual contractors here,” proclaims Javon Kinlaw.

The entire New York Jets franchise has been waiting a long time for a night similar to what they experienced on Thursday.

As Aaron Rodgers rolled back the years to dismantle rivals New England Patriots, everyone around the Jets started to dream of what could be this season – even if things got a little ‘awkward’ with coach.

While the Jets are coming together, one player was left looking on, as he has done all season. Haason Reddick has yet to suit up for Gang Green this season as he holds out for a new contract.

His leverage disappeared behind a terrific defensive performance from his teammates on the field.

The edge-rusher was traded to the Jets from the Eagles in April, bringing with him an ongoing contract dispute.

Into the final year of a 3-year deal he signed with Philadelphia worth a total of $45M, the Jets were under the impression that the 30-year-old would report for mandatory off-season training this summer.

But Reddick refused to show up and has now been fined up to $8M as the regular season reaches Week 4.

Meanwhile, the Jets’ defense has gone from strength-to-strength, recovering from a tough first outing against San Francisco to give up just 20 points in their last two games combined, improving to a 2-1 winning record.

Speaking exclusively with talkSPORT’s brand new dedicated YouTube channel End Zone, Jets defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw highlighted the reasons for the group’s impressive performances.

“Mainly for me, it’s been a confidence thing,” Kinlaw said.

“Just feeling like everyone in the organisation top to bottom believes in me and when you have that belief behind you, it drives you forward, it propels you. 

“Just being next to Quinnen (Williams) is awesome because he’s one of the smartest football players I’ve been around, he knows the game at an elite level.

“It shows every Sunday. But it starts in practice, the way he practices, the way he prepares, it’s inspiring. 

“Just being next to Solomon Thomas, I played with him, not a lot, but in my rookie year with San Fran…just the way he prepares, how smart he is. 

“I feel like we’ve got a very close group, everybody is for everybody, no individual contractors here. Everybody wants to see everybody shine and you love to see that in a group.

“Everybody believes in me and the rest takes care of itself. When you’ve got that belief it definitely skyrocketed my confidence in myself.”

Kinlaw recorded one of the Jets’ seven total sacks in their dominant display against the Patriots, holding Jacoby Brissett to under 100 passing yards.

While much was expected of this Jets defense coming into the season, performing at this level without Reddick remains impressive.

Reddick has become one of the NFL’s standout pass-rushers in recent years with double-digit sacks in each of the past four seasons, peaking with 16 for the Eagles in 2022.

The Jets will look to continue their strong start to the new season on Sunday when they host the Denver Broncos, before heading to London for the first of three games in the United Kingdom.

Arriving across the pond on the back of a three game winning streak, they’ll come up against a similarly motoring Minnesota Vikings, who are one of three unbeaten teams heading to Week 4.

talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, join us on Sunday as Week 4 continues with live coverage of Denver Broncos @ New York Jets followed by the New England Patriots at the San Francisco 49ers from 6pm on talkSPORT2

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