Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers missed the team’s mandatory minicamp because he had a pre-planned trip to Egypt, sources told SNY.
Rodgers participated every day in the team’s voluntary Phase 1 practices. He missed a week of Phase 2, but participated in all training organized by the team – also voluntary.
Rodgers originally put together this trip during his recovery from an Achilles injury. It gave him something to look forward to during one of the lowest points of his career. He has long admired Egyptian culture and scheduled the visit for what was believed to be after the off-season programs.
The Jets were informed of the trip when the official minicamp dates were announced (June 11 and 12) and it coincided with Rodgers’ plans. While it is an unexcused absence, the team is not concerned, sources told SNY, that it will impact Rodgers’ season. They wanted him at minicamp, but they understood how important this trip was for him.
As one source put it: Rodgers’ absence during the two-day minicamp will in no way affect the Jets’ season.
Several players SNY contacted had no problem with Rodgers missing minicamp, all pointing to his presence during the voluntary portion. These same players were surprised that those outside the One Jets Drive felt differently.
The hysteria over Rodgers’ whereabouts arose largely due to the way his absence was announced. From the Jets’ perspective: They didn’t want to set a precedent for players missing mandatory practices for pre-planned trips (pass rusher Haason Reddick was the only other Jets player who did not attend -Hand wants a new contract) to promote the notion that some in the NFL believe they cater too much to Rodgers.
While they were aware of Rodgers’ trip and understood why it was important to him, their public stance on the matter gave the impression that they were not and disregarded Rodgers’ near-perfect presence throughout the voluntary portion of the offseason program.
Mandatory minicamp, while mandatory, is simply two practices structured identically to the OTAs Rodgers attended.
While the Jets are unclear when Reddick will appear, Rodgers will be back for the start of training camp. He showed little to no signs of the injury that cost him all but four games of the 2024 season. Rodgers threw a 30-yard touchdown without a look. Garrett Wilson and a 59-yard score for Xavier Gipson in the Jets’ latest OTA open to media.
