New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh informed the media on Tuesday morning that superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers was absent from the team's minicamp (h/t Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network).
“#Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters that QB Aaron Rodgers is not at minicamp today, an unexcused absence that is subject to fines. Saleh said it was for an event “important to him.” Pass-rusher Haason Reddick, who wants a new contract, is also not present.”
Regardless of how important the event Rodgers is attending at the expense of his appearance at the minicamp, it is certainly not sanctioned by the Jets, hence the potential fine the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player could face.
“So we've got two inexcusable absences, one obviously being Haason [Reddick]. Spoke to him over the weekend, appreciate 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 this one inexcused,” Saleh told reporters about Reddick, who is reportedly looking to score a new contract with New York.
Saleh then dropped the update on Rodgers.
“The second one is Aaron, Aaron and I spoke before OTA started, he's been very good in communication, he's been here the entire time, it's inexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him which he communicated, both inexcused.”
“Yes, they were both subject to the CBA fine schedule,” Saleh added.
The 40-year-old signal-caller is entering his second season with the Jets, though, it can be viewed as his first. He only played a total of four snaps in 2023 with the Jets before he went down with a brutal season-ending left Achilles tendon rupture during a Week 1 home game versus the Buffalo Bills.
Rodgers' injury immediately had New York's hopes of contending for a Super Bowl in the 2023 season up in flames. Although the Jets won the Bills game, they finished the campaign with just a 7-10 record to miss the boat to the playoffs for the 13th year in a row.
Desperate for a proven quarterback to galvanize them, the Jets made a huge trade with the Green Bay Packers in 2023 to acquire the aging but still effective Aaron Rodgers. At the time of the swap, Rodger was coming off a solid final season in Green Bay uniform, as he passed for 3,695 yards and 26 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. That was not on par with Rodgers' best seasons but he was still widely viewed as a better option under center than any Jets quarterback in several years prior.
Three months after the trade that sent him to the Jets, Rodgers inked a three-year restructured extension deal with his new team worth r $112.5 million. He has a base salary of $3.161 million in 2024 and $37.5 million in 2025.
Social media reacts to Aaron Rodgers' Jets minicamp absence
Fans online have brought up all sorts of jokes regarding Rodgers' absence.
“It would be the most Aaron Rodgers thing ever to pop onto the Pat MaCfee show and say ‘he’s contemplating retirement,'” said X user @GPOGiants1999.
“Aaron Rodgers whenever he has the chance to start drama”
“Jets fans trying to remain excited that Rodgers is their quarterback”
“Part of Rodgers’ new Ayahuasca Tuesdays,” posted @TampaFan5.
“Darkness retreat 2.0,” commented @bostonchips.
From @PSU_FB_Thoughts: “Uh oh…it’s his interview to be a VP candidate”
Via @ROTL_UK: “Must be the Chicago Bears AGM, all owners have to attend!”
Follow Us
Subscribe
