NFL

LEON AN UNHAPPY CAMPER

CORTLAND — Leon Washington is in training camp with his teammates, having reported late Thursday night and practiced yesterday.

He’s happy about that.

He, however, is extremely unhappy that he’s still without a new contract and sounded almost resigned to the fact he won’t get a new deal any time soon.

“I’m unhappy about the situation, but at same time I have to play football,” Washington said after the afternoon practice. “I thought we made some progress [in recent days’ negotiations], but obviously there’s still a gap there, because we don’t have a contract signed yet.

“It’s been going on for a while and I’m unhappy about that, but I’m happy to play football.”

Asked if he believes a new deal is imminent, Washington said, “I’m not confident. I don’t feel confident something will get done. It kind of hurts me a little bit, because I’ve been here three years busting my tail and playing hard for the organization and for me not to get rewarded I’m unhappy about that. I’m disappointed not having this done.”

In essence the Jets, who have all the leverage because Washington is under contract (he’s in the final year of his deal and due to make $535,000 this year), have broken Washington, preying on his good-guy intentions and knowing he wouldn’t hold out for a long time.

Also playing into that was the $17,000-per-day fine he would be subject to if he holds out.

“I felt like me holding out didn’t gain me anything,” Washington said. “I decided to come here, play football and have good faith and hope things work out for the best.

“I would like not to play under this current contract, but if I don’t get a contract I don’t get a contract. I’m ready to play and I’m in good shape.”

Washington skipped the Thursday morning conditioning run at Florham Park and wasn’t present with his teammates reporting to their SUNY Cortland dorm later in the afternoon.

He said he arrived shortly after midnight — a pleasant surprise to Rex Ryan, who said he discovered Washington in his room while doing bed checks.

“I had bed check and I saw him [studying] his playbook. It was like, ‘Hey Leon!’ “Ryan said.

Washington’s reaction: “Hey, Coach.”

“He had a big smile on his face,” Ryan said.

So too did many of Washington’s teammates, who were hoping he wouldn’t be a long holdout.

“Best part of practice today was Leon Washington being there,” Jets kicker Jay Feely, a Twitter fiend, Tweeted on his account immediately after the morning session. “We have our entire team and can begin our quest.”

Washington said the reason he wasn’t here on time Thursday because he was trying to get his contract situation worked out.

“[But] talking to my agent, I realized this thing is not going where we want it to be,” Washington said.

After doing the conditioning run early yesterday morning, Washington didn’t do much in the morning session, but he participated in more drills in the afternoon practice.

“It’s always great to have him here,” Ryan said. “We need Leon. A huge part of the success that we’re going to have is when Leon’s in there. Obviously we’re happy that he’s here and he’s joined his teammates.”

Asked if he might bolt later in camp in a show of his only leverage, Washington said, “I can’t walk. I’m only making $535,000 this year. I’ve got to pay bills and feed my family.’

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com