NFL Rumors: Aaron Rodgers ‘Was Good with’ Jets Not Excusing Mandatory Absence

zach bacharContributor IJune 17, 2024

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Aaron Rodgers isn’t upset with the New York Jets’ decision to rule his absence as unexcused during minicamp on June 11, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

“Rodgers, I’m told, was good with it,” Breer wrote on Monday.

He also noted that Rodgers was subject to over $100,000 in fines due to the situation. The four-time MVP reportedly had a “personal event” and communicated his impending absence to the team.

Rodgers is on track to start for the Jets in 2024 after an Achilles injury ended his 2023 season in Week 1.

The 40-year-old participated in voluntary OTAs for the Jets prior to his unexcused no-show, with the team still feeling good about his offseason as a whole.

“Aaron has been just like he was a year ago,” head coach Robert Saleh said, per Breer. “He’s phenomenal. He’s a phenomenal teammate. He’s a phenomenal resource. His leadership, his thoughtfulness, the way he’s taken those young quarterbacks under his wing and the way he’s helped even Tyrod [Taylor] along, he’s phenomenal in that regard.”

Rodgers’ teammates also didn’t appear to be worried about his absence, with All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner defending the 10-time Pro Bowl passer in a Thursday post on X.

SAUCE GARDNER @iamSauceGardnerAre y’all really making a big deal because a 15+ year HOF QB missed 2 days of practice after being with the team all throughout Phase 1, 2, & 3 of OTA’s?? GG’s.

With Rodgers and the Jets on the same page regarding the ramifications of the situation, both sides will continue to look ahead toward the 2024 season. New York is attempting to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2010 with a healthy former Super Bowl MVP under center.

The next step in the offseason is training camp, with players reporting on July 23 before the first practice begins on July 24. While Rodgers missing minicamp caused a healthy amount of speculation, those criticisms will die down if he’s present alongside his teammates at the start of training camp as well as the preseason.