After missing the mandatory minicamp for a trip to Egypt, Aaron Rodgers has made a timely return to New York Jets training camp.
The quarterback spoke with reporters on Wednesday for the first time since his absence, shedding light on the circumstances that led to his missed minicamp, which he revealed in a podcast interview on Monday.
Rodgers explained that his absence was due to a scheduling error on his part. “I originally scheduled it based on the previous year’s schedule, which had us out, I believe, by the 9th or 10th,” Rodgers said. “Once I saw the schedule, I started to move some things around. It just didn’t happen.”
He reiterated that the trip to Egypt was a “bucket list” experience, as he mentioned on the “Pardon My Take” podcast. “Back in the doldrums of the rehab, I thought it would be fun to put together a trip with some friends,” Rodgers continued. “We wanted to plan it, kind of, middle of June. Looked at the previous year’s schedule and felt like I was gonna be safe.”
The two-day minicamp in June, which Rodgers missed, is mandatory under the collective bargaining agreement. However, Rodgers downplayed its significance, comparing it to voluntary OTAs. “They’re OTA days,” Rodgers said. “They happen to be labeled as minicamp. It’s not the same as it was in 2005 or 2010. The schedule is an OTA day. It’s labeled as minicamp so you can get anybody who hasn’t been around to be there.”
Rodgers also confirmed that he was fined by the team for his absence. He declined to specify the amount, only stating that it was “a little more” than $50,000.
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Rodgers’ absence became a talking point when Jets head coach Robert Saleh announced to reporters on June 11 that it was unexcused. This came as Rodgers is entering his second season with the Jets after a challenging first season marred by a torn Achilles tendon.
The following day, Saleh assured reporters that there were no issues between him and Rodgers, emphasizing that they were “on the exact same page.” “Aaron and I are on the exact same page,” Saleh said on June 12. “There’s no issue between Aaron, or his teammates for that matter. We addressed it yesterday; it’s more of an issue for everyone outside of the building than it is inside. That’s about it.”
Rodgers echoed this sentiment on Wednesday. “I had a great talk with Robert,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, he wanted me to be there. I knew the consequences if I wasn’t gonna be there. The reaction is what it is.”
With training camp underway, Rodgers is focused on preparing for the upcoming season, hoping to lead the Jets to success and build on the foundation laid during his brief time on the field last season.
