Robert Saleh and the New York Jets are downplaying Aaron Rodgers’ absence from the team’s recent two-day minicamp.
The quarterback’s absence, along with edge rusher Haason Reddick’s, made headlines after Saleh announced on Tuesday that neither player would attend, labeling their absences as unexcused and subject to fines.
Saleh explained that Rodgers was fulfilling a prior commitment that he had informed the team about, emphasizing its importance to him. Reddick’s absence, on the other hand, seems related to a contract issue.
When pressed on Wednesday about whether Rodgers knew his absence would be termed “unexcused,” Saleh clarified, “I talked about it yesterday, but Aaron and I are on the exact same page. There’s no issue between Aaron—or his teammates, for that matter. It’s more of an issue for everyone outside the building than it is inside.”
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Saleh also confirmed that Rodgers had notified the team of his plans beforehand.
However, backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor indicated he was only informed he’d be leading the starting offense earlier that same morning, suggesting that neither Rodgers nor the Jets had communicated this to Taylor or possibly other teammates.
“It’s a one-on-one conversation,” Saleh noted about his discussion with Rodgers, implying it wasn’t necessary for the team to know the details.
Rodgers, who is recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon that ended his last season prematurely, has been present for most of the Jets’ voluntary workouts.
Cornerback D.J. Reed supported his quarterback, stating, “He’s been here for the majority of practices that weren’t mandatory. I think I saw something that said Coach said A.R. had something important he had to attend. That’s our quarterback and if it’s important to him, it’s important to us. It’s really not a big deal.”
Both Rodgers and Reddick face $50,861 in fines for missing the minicamp.
