In shocking news, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will skip the team’s mandatory minicamp this week.
Head coach Robert Saleh just announced the disappointing news.
According to Saleh, Rodgers is missing the mandatory practices due to an “event that was important to him.”
Rodgers was present at the team facility on Monday to complete his physical and fulfill photo day obligations.
However, he will not attend the minicamp sessions, making him one of two significant unexcused absences alongside new defensive end Haason Reddick.
Both players are subject to fines.
“Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started. He’s been very good in communication, he’s been here the entire time,” Saleh stated.
“It’s unexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him, which he communicated to me.”
Haason Reddick, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in late March, is believed to be holding out in pursuit of a new contract.
Saleh mentioned that he spoke with Reddick over the weekend for the first time since the trade.
Despite Reddick’s absence, Saleh expressed confidence that the holdout would not extend into training camp.
“I appreciated the dialogue. He’s in a really good place mentally, working his tail off like we already know, but he’s choosing to sit out so it’s unexcused,” Saleh said.
He later added, “I’m not concerned about Haason Reddick. I understand everything that’s happening, but at the same time I know that when it comes time to play football, he’s gonna be ready to play football.”
Reddick, a 29-year-old two-time Pro Bowler, is owed $21.8 million in 2024 as part of a three-year, $45 million deal he signed before the 2022 season.
Saleh directed questions regarding Reddick’s contract situation to general manager Joe Douglas.
With respect to Reddick, Rodgers’ unexcused absence is of course the much bigger story.
Many fans are left rolling their eyes wondering what exactly is happening. After all, Rodgers is the one who spoke about the importance of everyone being “all-in” and spending every waking moment focused on bettering the team.
Yet here we are with MANDATORY minicamp upon us, and Rodgers is a no-show.
Naturally, many fans are worried that Rodgers is abusing the unprecedented power that the organization giftwrapped him when they traded for him a year ago.
Ironically, new Jets wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson recently spoke about the importance of the young receivers taking advantage of their precious time with Rodgers.
“I’m just having a chat with my guys in the classroom,” Jefferson said, “Like, ‘Hey, you can play in this league for 10-12 years and not play with a quarterback like [Rodgers]. Let’s take advantage of him while he’s here. This quarterback can literally make your career.’”
It’s safe to say that Jefferson (and the entire coaching staff for that matter) was expecting Rodgers to be present at mandatory minicamp.
Gang Green standout receiver Garrett Wilson, who has more targets (315) over his first two seasons than anyone in NFL history, is expected to benefit greatly from Rodgers’ eventual presence.
“This kid can be exactly whatever he wants to be,” Jefferson said.
“When you are that guy, understanding what the defense is going to try to do against you – and the little nuances of, ‘OK, when we see this, you do that’ [is crucial].
“Really, sky’s the limit for this kid. He has that ‘it’ factor. He has that dawg. And the thing that’s really impressive is he works, he works, he works. I’m probably going to have to save him from himself.”
Now, both Jefferson and Wilson are hoping that Rodgers shows up sooner rather than later.
What are your thoughts on Rodgers skipping mandatory minicamp?
Saleh has been accused of being too much of a puppet for Rodgers. (Although you can certainly make the argument that Rodgers is the only reason why Saleh still has a job.)
Do you think Rodgers will be punished for his unexcused absence? … Or will the organization turn a blind eye?
Is this as big of a story as it’s being made out to be? … Or is it being way overblown?
Most importantly, how do you think Rodgers and the Jets will do this season???