“You will feel welcome”

Johnson's off-the-cuff comments about Reddick made for a bit of an odd moment on a crazy day in Gotham. Still, the owner remains hopeful that his absent OLB will join the team at some point.

The Jets acquired Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles in late March, but the pass rusher, seeking a new contract, refused to appear without a new contract, leading to a stalemate that lasted into October. He is due $14.25 million in the final season of his current contract.

Reddick has had four consecutive double-digit sack seasons with three teams (the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Eagles) and has made two consecutive Pro Bowls with Philly. However, his dissatisfaction with his contract situation led to a trade and conventional wisdom suggests that an extension or revised contract would have been previously discussed with the Jets. However, nothing was resolved and Reddick missed action and received fines throughout the offseason and now the regular season.

It's an unprecedented scenario for Johnson, who has owned the Jets for 25 years.

“This is something I've never seen before, you know, and you've got more years left than I have,” Johnson told ESPN reporter Rich Cimini. “I don’t think any of us have seen anything like this. I think you have to be part psychologist and part something else essential to figure out what's actually going on. I hope the young man can join the team.”

Reddick, who was 29 when he was traded and turned 30 in Week 4, and his holdout were overlooked at times and certainly played a minor role in Tuesday's news with Saleh's ejection. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is now the team's interim coach and the team will restart on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills.

There may be some progress in Reddick's unprecedented situation. After all, before Tuesday, Johnson had never fired a head coach midseason.

“When he gets here he will find a very welcoming locker room and will be able to fit in,” Johnson said, “but he has to get here first.”