New York Jets star Aaron Rodgers has face some criticism this week over his choice to skip the team’s mandatory minicamp.Â
But Rodgers’ teammate Sauce Gardner is coming to the quarterback’s protection. “Are 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,” Gardner wrote on X, previously generally known as Twitter.
Rodgers did seem at different voluntary offseason exercises previous to this week’s minicamp. He was readily available in late May and early June for the Jets’ organized workforce actions (OTAs).Â
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner attend recreation two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on May 2, 2023, in New York City. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Jets head coach Robert Saleh advised reporters on Tuesday that though Rodgers’ absence can be thought-about unexcused, the quarterback had beforehand advised the workforce concerning the battle in his schedule.
“Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started,” Saleh mentioned. “He’s been very good in communication. He’s been here the entire time. It’s inexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him, which he communicated.”
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On Wednesday, veteran NFL quarterback Chase Daniel characterised Rodgers’ absence as “expensive.”
“Wait until you hear where Aaron Rodgers is…instead of with his teammates…. That’s an expensive absence,” Daniel wrote on X.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks to reporters on the workforce’s NFL soccer facility in Florham Park, N.J., Monday, January 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Dennis Waszak Jr.)
Skipping minicamp with out an excused absence means gamers might face fines, below the phrases of the NFL’s collective bargaining settlement.
This just isn’t the primary time Gardner has expressed help for Rodgers. The two-time Pro Bowl defensive again beforehand known as Rodgers a “natural leader.”
“When he walks into the room, he’s going to shake the room every time,” Gardner mentioned final September. “He’s a natural leader. Great guy to be around. He changed the organization in a lot of ways, for sure.”
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and cornerback Sauce Gardner attend recreation two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on May 2, 2023, in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 111-105. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Aside from Rodgers, the Jets additionally needed to navigate minicamp with out Haason Reddick. The Jets acquired the two-time move rusher from the Philadelphia Eagles in a commerce in April. While Rodgers is skipping necessary minicamp to be able to fulfill different obligations, Reddick seems to be sitting out on account of a contract dispute.
The 29-year-old has one 12 months remaining on his contract. The state of his deal had been a sticking level for the previous a number of months, which finally led to him being traded.
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Saleh wasn’t anxious about Reddick’s holdout persevering with into coaching camp, although the 2 didn’t talk about that, or his contractual standing. Despite Reddick not bodily being with the workforce, he has saved the traces of communication open along with his head coach.
“Spoke to him over the weekend. I appreciate the dialogue. He’s in a really good place mentally, working his tail off like we already know, but he’s choosing to sit out this one. Inexcused,” Saleh mentioned on Tuesday.
“I’m not concerned about Haason Reddick. I understand everything that’s happening, but at the same time, I know that when it comes time to play football, he’s gonna be ready to play football.”
The Jets open coaching camp on July 24.
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