It looks like the New York Jets almost always have Aaron Rodgers’ back. The Jets leader was missing from the mandatory training minicamp due to a necessary commitment and it has taken the NFL by storm. Though the CBA will fine Rodgers for missing out, the head coach Robert Saleh tried to present the reasons for Aaron Rodgers’ absence.

“Aaron and I spoke before OTAs [organized team activities] started,” Saleh told reporters and added, “He’s been very good in communication. He’s been here the entire time. It’s unexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him, which he communicated.”

However, not everyone seemed to appreciate the way Saleh represented A-Rod’s nonattendance, including Nick Wright and his associates. The host on First Things First called out Saleh’s approach and admitted, “Prediction before I give my take: When Rodgers talks, he’s going to not so subtly scold Robert Saleh for those comments there, and Saleh when he talks after Rodgers talks, we’ll walk it back a little bit.”

But the Rodgers slander didn’t stop there as the broadcaster took a jab at the 4x MVP for having an inflated ego. “I think ‘unexcused’ sounds harsh. I think in Aaron’s world, ‘I gave you guys a heads up. What more do you want from me? I’m a busy guy with important things.’ Which is why he’s [Rodgers] is such a phony.”

Rodgers missing the training camp will result in fines as indicated by the coach. Missing the first day of training camp will cost him about $16.9k, the second-day absence will cost him about $ 33.9k, and the absence on the third day will result in a steep $50.8k fine, per CBA.

However, Coach Saleh has his players’ back as he understands their commitments and decisions. Concerning this, the Jets’ HC said, “Selfishly, I want our guys here all the time, but when you get to these mandatory things, you make the best decision for yourself.” But, it has not stopped uncertainty from looming over the Jets squad. As rightly pointed out by Rodgers himself, the upcoming season will be a make-or-break for many players in the Green Army including Coach Saleh.

Aaron Rodgers stresses the do-or-die Jets situation

The presence of a veteran quarterback holds utmost importance. “If you want to be a winning organization and put yourself in a position to win championships and be competitive, everything that you do matters – and the (expletive) that has nothing to do with winning needs to get out of the building. So, that’ll be the focus moving forward,” said Rodgers in a presser in January.

Recently, the QB also stressed on how, “As you get older in the league if you don’t perform, they’re going to get rid of you or bring in the next guy to take over. It happened in Green Bay, and I’m a few years older than I was back then.” For Rodgers, if he didn’t play well and lift the team, it might be costly for the entire unit.

However, the QB did mention that he likes “that kind of pressure.” Thus, he and the team will aim to make an impressive comeback. For now, the DE Haason Reddick also missed out on the mandatory training. The Eagles traded Reddick to the Jets in March and he’s in the final year of his 3-year $45 million contract.

For now, the Jets do not appear much worried about the absence at the minicamps. However, only time will tell how things eventually pan out for the Green Army. Will Rodgers be able to surpass the playoff drought? And whether the Jets will retain their glory once more.