Ex-NFL QB Reveals ‘Biggest Detriment’ of Aaron Rodgers Missing Mandatory Minicamp ‘Unexcused’ Amid Probability of Jets Star Getting Fined

Aaron Rodgers just can’t escape the headlines! The New York Jets quarterback is in hot waters after skipping the Jets’ mandatory minicamp. The camp started on June 11 and many fans expected to see Rodgers in action after returning from a season-ending Achilles injury in 2023. And, if a former NFL player is to be believed, Rodgers missing the camp could be a big loss to the franchise.

Tim Hasselbeck, former Giants quarterback and ESPN analyst, made an interesting observation on the matter. Instead of focusing on Rodgers’ personal performances, Tim turned the attention to how the 40-year-old’s actions affect the team as a whole. Hasselbeck opined that training with a player of A-Rod’s caliber could have been beneficial to the Jets after a disappointing last season that saw the team missing out on a playoff spot for the 13th season in a row.

“Now, it’s always better to have guys around than have them away, especially leaders of your football team,” added Tim Hasselbeck during a recent SportsCenter episode. He continued, “So, I think it’s really probably the biggest detriment in terms of the expectations for the football team when your leaders isn’t there. Especially if you have other guys that aren’t there or deciding to not be there.”

Other than Tim Hasselbeck, the Jets head coach Robert Saleh also seemed unhappy with his star QB’s actions and labeled it as an “unexcused” leave. While the 45-year-old made it clear that Rodgers ‘communicated’ about the leave prior, the former Packers star may still have to undergo disciplinary actions for missing the minicamp.

Aaron Rodgers may face consequences for missing Jet’s minicamp

Aaron Rodgers may face fines of upto six figures for his actions as the quarterback will miss the entire minicamp. While the Jets are not obligated to fine him, Rodgers will pay $101,716 ($16,953, $33,908, and $50,855 respectively) for deciding to skip the three-day camp if the franchise shows strictness. 

Amid all the speculations, ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington provided further insight into the situation. In the same interview, Darlington added that Aaron Rodgers was an active participant in the organized team activities (OTAs) leading up to the minicamps. At the same time, the reporter also mentioned that there could be some “looming drama.”

“If there is any looming drama to come out of this and perhaps it will be squashed once some people communicate. The question is whether Aaron Rodgers knew that this was excused or unexcused when he did communicate it to Robert Saleh. Like anything with the Jets, we do have a little bit of looming drama. But I will say, Jets are trying to make very clear that they are okay even if it’s unexcused with Aaron not being at minicamp,” said Jeff.

After the culmination of the much-talked-about minicamp, the players will once again reunite ahead of the preseason games which begin on August 10. After the disappointing start to his Jets career last year due to injury, the $200 million rich NFL star will finally look to play a full season with the franchise. Can Rodgers lead the team to its first Super Bowl since 1968? Only time will tell.