Aaron Rodgers Skips Jets Minicamp Which Won't Hurt During The Season But Looks Bad Now

The New York Jets make news. Here we are in June, days before the league goes dark for what is typically a quiet period, and the Jets are making news. It's like they cannot help themselves.

And, unfortunately for Jets fans, it's too often not great news.

(Bills, Dolphins, and Patriots fans insert smiles here.)

That's what we saw from the team on Tuesday when coach Robert Saleh told reporters there are "two unexcused absences" at the opening of the team's mandatory minicamp:

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Edge rusher Haason Reddick.

Head coach Robert Saleh of the New York Jets talks to reporters after training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on July 26, 2023 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Rodgers Communicated Intentions To Skip

"Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started," Saleh said. "He's been very good in communications. He's been here the entire time. It's unexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him, which he communicated."

So backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor will take snaps with the first-team offense during this Jets' minicamp.

On Reddick …

"Spoke to him over the weekend. Appreciate the dialogue," Saleh said. "He's in a really good place mentally – working his tail off like we already know – but he's choosing to sit this one out unexcused."

Both players are subject to the NFL collective bargaining agreement fine schedule. It's unclear if the Jets will actually apply those fines as the quarterback simply has somewhere else to be he deems more important and the edge rusher is holding out for a new contract.

And this is what we can make of this situation:

Rodgers is the team's leader. He is the face of the franchise, although he hasn't actually earned that mantle because his time with the Jets has contributed four total plays on the field.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 26: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets reacts after throwing a first quarter touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson #17 in a preseason game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Bad Example, Optics, Statement

So, what kind of example is this setting for the rest of the team? And what kind of statement is the team's leader making that something is obviously more important to him than a mandatory team event?

The answers may or may not ever have repercussions on the field. 

The truth is Aaron Rodgers, at 40 years old and about to start his 20th NFL season, doesn't need extra repetitions in a minicamp to play well during the 2024 season.

But the optics are bad nonetheless. 

It makes Rodgers look bad, not that he cares. It makes the Jets look like something of a team that doesn't have its stuff all together.

There is no football positive here. 

The ironic thing is Rodgers was with the team on Monday for what it termed as Media Day – a day for photo shoots, physicals and other stuff. 

Then he left.

"Selfishly I want our guys here all the time, but you get to these mandatory things, you make the best decision for yourself," Saleh said. "Obviously, selfishly, you want all of them here all the time but he made a decision and that's what he went with."

"He had something that was very important to him," Saleh added. "If it's important to him, it's important to us."

Haason Reddick not happy with contract situation. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Haason Reddick Contract Issue

The Reddick issue is interesting because it speaks to decisions the team has made and to the weight Saleh carries with one of the team's newest players.

Reddick was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. And why did the Eagles trade a player who has collected 27 sacks the past two seasons for them?

Because he is entering the final year of his contract and wants an extension. And the Jets didn't make addressing that contingent to making the trade.

So they inherited the Eagles' headache.

"With regard to those details, I don't know the exact details or not aware of the exact details you're looking for in that situation," Saleh said. 

Saleh told reporters to speak with general manager Joe Douglas about it, knowing full well Douglas is not available to reporters at this time.

Saleh said he spoke with Reddick over the weekend. The coach reached out, listened to Reddick's thoughts, and a source said he asked Reddick to seriously consider attending mandatory minicamp.

It should be noted Reddick listened to his new coach's request he attend minicamp and then did the opposite.

"I understand everything that's happening, but at the same time, when it comes down to playing football, he's going to be ready to play football," Saleh said.

And why should we believe this?

Saleh has actually been all over the place on the Reddick issue. He said last week he expected Reddick to attend minicamp and the player isn't doing that.

He said last week he hasn't spoken with Reddick at all since the trade. But he said Tuesday he spoke with him when the trade with Philadelphia was made and has texted back and forth on occasion before talking to him over the weekend.

Both notable absences leave Saleh trying to put a positive spin on an unsightly situation. 

There is no positive spin the Jets may offer that anyone should buy.