New York Jets star Aaron Rodgers has face some criticism this week over his determination to skip the workforce’s obligatory minicamp.
However Rodgers’ teammate Sauce Gardner is coming to the quarterback’s protection. “Are y’all actually making an enormous deal as a result of a 15+ 12 months HOF QB missed 2 days of apply after being with the workforce all all through Section 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 Could and early June for the Jets’ organized workforce actions (OTAs).
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner attend recreation two of the Japanese Convention Semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Miami Warmth at Madison Sq. Backyard on Could 2, 2023, in New York Metropolis. (Elsa/Getty Photographs)
Jets head coach Robert Saleh advised reporters on Tuesday that though Rodgers’ absence could be thought-about unexcused, the quarterback had beforehand advised the workforce in regards to the battle in his schedule.
“Aaron and I spoke earlier than OTAs began,” Saleh stated. “He is been excellent in communication. He is been right here the whole time. It is inexcused, however he had an occasion that was essential to him, which he communicated.”
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On Wednesday, veteran NFL quarterback Chase Daniel characterised Rodgers’ absence as “costly.”
“Wait till you hear the place Aaron Rodgers is…as a substitute of along with his teammates…. That’s an costly 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 Picture/Dennis Waszak Jr.)
Skipping minicamp with out an excused absence means gamers may face fines, underneath the phrases of the NFL’s collective bargaining settlement.
This isn’t the primary time Gardner has expressed assist for Rodgers. The 2-time Professional Bowl defensive again beforehand known as Rodgers a “pure chief.”
“When he walks into the room, he’s going to shake the room each time,” Gardner stated final September. “He’s a pure chief. Nice man to be round. He modified the group in quite a lot of methods, for certain.”
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and cornerback Sauce Gardner attend recreation two of the Japanese Convention Semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Miami Warmth at Madison Sq. Backyard on Could 2, 2023, in New York Metropolis. The New York Knicks defeated the Miami Warmth 111-105. (Elsa/Getty Photographs)
Other than 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. Whereas Rodgers is skipping obligatory minicamp so as 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 in the end led to him being traded.
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Saleh wasn’t nervous about Reddick’s holdout persevering with into coaching camp, although the 2 didn’t talk about that, or his contractual standing. Regardless of Reddick not bodily being with the workforce, he has stored the traces of communication open along with his head coach.
“Spoke to him over the weekend. I admire the dialogue. He is in a extremely good place mentally, working his tail off like we already know, however he is selecting to sit down out this one. Inexcused,” Saleh stated on Tuesday.
“I’m not involved about Haason Reddick. I perceive every little thing that’s occurring, however on the similar time, I do know that when it comes time to play soccer, he’s gonna be able to play soccer.”
The Jets open coaching camp on July 24.
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