Despite Jets Owner’s Support, Absent Aaron Rodgers’ ‘Non Football Crap’ Blasted by Dan Graziano

Aaron Rodgers is currently facing a lot of flak this offseason. Be it his Ayahuasca retreat, quick rehab, or his recent mandatory camp miss, the New York Jets quarterback is being criticized for his “negligence” and “cryptic behavior.”

The Jets held a mandatory minicamp last week, from June 11 to 13. And the most notable player, Aaron Rodgers, was absent from it, which coach Robert Saleh later described as an “unexcused” reason. But like other analysts or sportscasters, ESPN’s NFL insider, Dan Graziano, has some rough thoughts about the QB, who got quick support from Woody Johnson.

The Jets owner is doing the damage control!

As soon as Aaron Rodgers missed the mandatory minicamp, many started blaming the organization, the coach, and the quarterback for such negligence. Hence, to control the damage caused by A-Rod’s recent absence, Jets owner Woody Johnson dropped a clip of Rodgers on X.

In the video, the 4x MVP could be seen throwing a no-look pass perfectly to his receiver during a practice session. Proud Johnson further added a caption praising Rodgers: “@AaronRodgers12 looked as good as ever this spring.” However, that might not be enough for the critics, as NFL insider Dan Graziano showered his harsh words on the Jets quarterback.

In the latest episode of ESPN’s Get Up, Graziano highlighted some pointers against Rodgers, ripping him apart for skipping camp. Paul Andrew Esden Jr posted Graziano’s cutting comments on X, “31 starting quarterbacks made their mandatory minicamps. So far in his time with the Jets he (Aaron Rodgers) has not made a contribution to winning. He has been a distraction. Non football crap has followed Rodgers around during his time with the Jets. You can’t tell me the guy is all in if he’s not there when it’s mandatory.”

Ouch! That’s a pretty stinging criticism of Rodgers’ commitment and impact on the team. But where was Aaron Rodgers that he skipped the mandatory minicamp?

Aaron Rodgers ‘skipped work to do drugs’?

After addressing Aaron Rodgers’s “unexcused” absence, the HC, Robert Saleh, defended his quarterback again. A day after the absence became a hot topic online, Saleh said in an interview, “Aaron and I are on the exact same page. There’s no issue between Aaron or his teammates, for that matter. We addressed it yesterday. It’s more of an issue for everyone outside the building than it is inside. That’s about it.”

Rodgers had participated in the voluntary offseason program from April until early June. However, he had informed Saleh earlier that he wouldn’t attend the mandatory minicamp due to a prior commitment. But what was the commitment?

While people are trying to figure out Aaron Rodgers’ whereabouts, broadcaster Nick Wright speculated he might be attending the Ayahuasca retreat. Wright shared his assumption on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” saying, “If the reports are true, ‘Hey give me in ten words or less what happened with Aaron Rodgers last week,’ the answer is: Skipped work to do drugs.”

Although the analyst does not care what Rodgers does in his free time off the field, he was unhappy with his absence during a crucial period. Later, on “First Things First,” co-host Danny Parkins blamed the coach for his absence, speculating that Saleh must be lying about the quarterback. He and other show hosts, Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes, all surmised that Rodgers might have gone back to Ayahuasca.

Well, to uncover the truth, fans, and analysts will have to wait until June 23, when Aaron Rodgers breaks the ice himself, if he wants to.