The NY Jets begin their mandatory minicamp this week, and two notable star players are not in attendance. Few were surprised to learn that former All-Pro pass rusher Haason Reddick was absent from minicamp, but the same wasn't true for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Tuesday that Rodgers is an unexcused absence from mandatory minicamp and is subject to fines. The Jets labeling him as an "unexcused absence" is a direct indication they plan to fine their star quarterback.
Saleh told reporters that Rodgers informed the Jets he would not be in attendance as he is attending an event that is "important to him." The Jets were aware that Rodgers would not be at minicamp, although Saleh didn't sound particularly pleased by his absence.
The Reddick news was expected. Rodgers not showing up for minicamp definitely caught a lot of people off guard, even if the Jets insist they knew it was coming.
It's worth noting that Rodgers has been in attendance for every voluntary event of the offseason to this point. He's been with the Jets every step of the offseason program, including every OTA practice of the spring.
While it's, of course, notable when a team's starting quarterback is an "unexcused" absence from a mandatory team event, this doesn't seem to be any cause for concern.
Rodgers was in attendance for the Jets' mandatory media day on Monday and apparently informed the team ahead of time that he would not be attending minicamp. It's unfair to speculate what is causing Rodgers to miss the event.
Nonetheless, the Jets don't have any reason to be concerned about Rodgers' status moving forward. The four-time MVP has gone above and beyond to prove his commitment to the organization since arriving in Florham Park.
He's been praised countless times by his teammates and coaching staff for the work he's put in off the field to be the leader many claimed he wasn't at times in Green Bay. Simply put, if this were any other starting quarterback, it would be a complete non-story.
The Jets aren't concerned with Aaron Rodgers, nor should they be. The bigger story here is Reddick, who is now an official holdout as he awaits a new contract. As for Rodgers, he'll be back on the field come training camp next month.
