On Tuesday morning, Aaron Rodgers surprised many fans and sent the media into a tailspin when he wasn’t present for mandatory minicamp. For Jets fans, this was a surprise but not a concern, Rodgers was present for all of the previous workouts in the offseason. It felt like a moment that happened 22 years ago when Allen Iverson delivered his epic practice rant, “We in here talking about practice. Not a game, practice.”
That is all this was, two practices in June that Aaron Rodgers missed. Today, let’s discuss how this happened, the recent teammate support, and the commitment from Rodgers since being traded to the Jets.
Practice!? Aaron Rodgers Skips Mandatory Minicamp
How This Happened
On Monday afternoon at One Jets Drive, Aaron Rodgers was at the facility for media day, participating in media activities and taking a physical. However, when Tuesday’s practice arrived, the journeyman Tyrod Taylor took the field as QB1, not Rodgers. Head coach Robert Saleh spoke to the media before practice and made it abundantly clear this was not a big deal. Rodgers told coach Saleh months prior that he would not be present for these two practices before the 40-day break between Training Camp.
Many feel Robert Saleh and the New York Jets could have handled the situation differently in how they presented it to the media. While getting in front of this situation and notifying fans and the media that this was going to happen could have limited the headlines, it’s still Aaron Rodgers, and any time people get the chance to go after the future Hall of Famer they will. The bigger headline that should be addressed is Haason Reddick who has not participated in any of the spring workouts as he looks for a new contract.
Teammates Show Support
Over the years Aaron Rodgers has been given the bad teammate label even with his current teammates showing him support consistently since he was traded to Gang Green last April. In the past, it has been a mixed bag for Rodgers with some former teammates complementing him as a leader while others have only shown support for his talent not his leadership behind closed doors. It’s clear since joining the Jets, this group of young players and veterans has rallied around the four-time time MVP.
On Tuesday, cornerback D.J. Reed spoke on Rodgers’ absence. “That’s our quarterback. If it’s important to him, it’s important to us. It’s really not a big deal.” Reed also went on to say how Rodgers has been to every practice previously and has even been to more practices and workouts than he has this offseason. Along with this, third-year cornerback Sauce Gardner showed support for Rodgers through social media. Gardner wondering why the media is making a big deal out of this situation because, at the end of the day, it’s a future Hall of Fame quarterback missing two practices in June.
Commitment To The Jets
When Aaron Rodgers was traded to the Jets many wondered what his commitment level would be to the organization after the way it ended in Green Bay. To say Rodgers’ commitment and leadership have been off the charts since the trade would be an understatement. This is a player that wanted and needed a change of scenery which he got last April.
Last season Rodgers attended every offseason workout and was at all the Training Camp practices which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Unfortunately four snaps into the season, the Super Bowl champion went down with a torn Achilles. In that moment, Rodgers could have easily retired and left the Jets with a hole at quarterback. Instead, Rodgers made a historically fast Achilles recovery and made it back to the team in late November to practice and try to work his way back onto the field. Putting his own body and future at risk practicing for a Jets team that was out of playoff contention.
For years the Jets have been the laughingstock of the NFL with issues both on the field and off. Aaron Rodgers has done everything in his power since coming over to change the narrative that has been around the organization and people are getting worked up over two practices in June!?
Main Image: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
