FLORHAM PARK — Since his full recovery from an Achilles tear that cost him the 2023 season, Aaron Rodgers has been a consistent face in voluntary workouts.
As mandatory minicamp begins, though, he is a surprise absence for the New York Jets.
Aaron Rodgers Absent From Jets’ Mandatory Minicamp
Jets head coach Robert Saleh opened his mandatory minicamp practice with the announcement that Rodgers would not be in attendance this week due to an event he had let the team know about for months. However, he did not say exactly what event Rodgers was missing practice for.
The odd part? Rodgers is still “subject to the CBA fine schedule,” according to Saleh.
Robert Saleh confirms that Haason Reddick and Aaron Rodgers are not at minicamp pic.twitter.com/ehSYU8rXMb
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) June 11, 2024
It’s unclear where exactly Rodgers is and what event he took off practices for. His absence, while something he warned the team about, was made bigger by Saleh’s response Tuesday morning.
Calling Rodgers’ absence “unexcused” opens the quarterback to be fined as subjected by the CBA. It’s highly likely the Jets will throw that fine out the window for their quarterback, but they simply had to say that Rodgers had an excused absence and was away from the team.
By that mark, Rodgers’ absence would make sense and cause less of a fiasco for 1 Jets Drive. After all, it’s not uncommon for older quarterbacks to be away from the team for mandatory minicamp. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning both did so towards the end of their careers.
MORE: Haason Reddick Misses Mandatory Minicamp: The Latest on His Contract
Rodgers missed the entirety of the 2023 regular season due to a torn Achilles suffered four plays into his Jets debut. After working tirelessly to be around the organization and push for a shorter recovery timetable, the four-time NFL MVP joined the Jets for offseason workouts as he gears up for his 20th season.
Tyrod Taylor Gets Extended Reps With Rodgers Out
While Rodgers’ absence is certainly not ideal, it does give the Jets a chance to get more work for backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who signed a two-year deal with the Jets in Marh.
Taylor’s arrival meant New York shifted its demands for the backup quarterback position. It also allows the former Giants backup QB to show his new teammates that he’s more than capable of being a competent starter should something happen to Rodgers — a fact that Saleh pointedly mentioned.
“This is a great opportunity for Tyrod to get reps with the ones over the next couple of days,” Saleh explained.
"This is a great opportunity for Tyrod to get reps with the ones over the next couple of days"
Robert Saleh talks about Aaron Rodgers' absence from minicamp and Tyrod Taylor getting an opportunity to get reps with the Jets' first-stringers: pic.twitter.com/Uj6x88IydY
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) June 11, 2024
Saleh mentioned that “selfishly” he wanted Rodgers in attendance at mandatory minicamp, but the absence that many thought would not be a big deal certainly became one due to New York’s own response to the matter.