Congratulations to Trevor Lawrence on his massive new extension.
While there are some who feel that he hasn’t earned those type of figures yet, the Jaguars are more than happy to know that their franchise quarterback is staying in Jacksonville for the foreseeable future.
Speaking of quarterbacks, the biggest piece of news in the NFL this week had to do with none other than Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers caused quite the stir in the football world when it was revealed that he was skipping New York Jets mandatory minicamp.
According to head coach Robert Saleh, Rodgers preferred to attend an “event that was important to him.”
Saleh made it clear that Rodgers’ absence was “unexcused.” However, he stated that his high-priced quarterback communicated his plans to him and that the whole situation is not the end of the world. (Although it’s far from ideal.)
“Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started. He’s been very good in communication. He’s been here the entire time. It’s unexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him, which he communicated,” Saleh said.
While there are many who agree with the sentiment that Rodgers missing the minicamp is not the end of the world and think the whole situation is being way overblown, there are others who are not willing to give Rodgers a free pass.
Enter FS1’s Nick Wright…
“This wasn’t a last-second event. This wasn’t a birth of a child,” Wright said of Rodgers’ “important event.”
“Those things can be excused. Those things we understand. This was ‘I have two things going on in my life today, I’m choosing the other.’
So, don’t then tell me that the thing that was second place this time is the most important thing going on with you, because it’s not.”
“And in my opinion, that is not sustainable for a quarterback of an NFL team; it’s just not,” Wright continued.
“It might be sustainable for the running back – maybe. It’s not sustainable for the veteran leader quarterback, especially when he lectured everyone how important it is keeping the nonsense out of the building.”
“Sometimes you’re double-booked, and it forces you to choose either what’s most important or where you’re most needed,” Wright added.
“Aaron Rodgers is double-booked with the team that pays him $40 million to lead them to a Super Bowl that he’s played three snaps of NFL football for. First mandatory event of the offseason, and the something else took priority.”
Wright also pointed out that Rodgers is undoubtedly annoyed by Saleh’s word choice in explaining his absence from mandatory minicamp.
“I’m gonna give a prediction,” Wright said. “When Rodgers talks, he’s gonna not so subtly scold Robert Saleh for those comments there. And Saleh, when he talks after Rodgers talks, will walk it back a little back.
“I think, to Aaron’s ears (those comments) are harsh. I think ‘unexcused’ sounds harsh. I think in Aaron’s world, ‘I gave you a heads up; what more do you want from me? I’m a busy guy with important things,’ which is why he’s such a phony.”
Wright then brought Haason Reddick into the conversation.
Much like Rodgers, Reddick skipped mandatory minicamp – but unlike the handsomely paid Rodgers, his “holdout” is due to a contract squabble.
“Guys, there’s other Jets not there. A player that never wanted to be a Jet that the Jets traded for. The problem with his previous team, Haason Reddick, was he wanted a new contract.
“The Jets thought, ‘Well we’re the Jets; he won’t want one with us.’ They traded for him, and he got there, and it’s like, ‘Nope, still want the contract, guys.’
“Every other notable player who isn’t at mandatory minicamp, we know why – money,” Wright continued.
“Brandon Aiyuk, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins doesn’t even have to be there because he hasn’t signed his deal, but that’s all money. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong. I actually think it’s kind of fine…”
For what it’s worth, Saleh was quick to defend Reddick.
“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 of Reddick.
“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
What are your thoughts on Wright’s comments?
What camp do you reside in? … Are you annoyed that Rodgers chose to do something else rather than attend mandatory minicamp? Or do you think the whole situation is being way overblown?
Where exactly do you think he is? … What was the event that was so important to him?
Either way, we know Rodgers will be more than ready come Week 1 … What’s your prediction for him and the Jets this season???