The Packers’ WR Romeo Doubs gained significant attention during the 2023 OTA programs. An ESPN reporter highlighted the remarkable football skills of the wideout who meshed perfectly with QB Jordan Love. Sharing candid practice videos of the two, he stated that Romeo Doubs “has seemingly become quarterback Jordan Love’s go-to guy.” Well, Doubs is making waves in offseason mandatory minicamps once again.
The WR once drew huge attention from fans alongside Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers, for his amazing performances during OTAs. Now, he grabbed the focus of NFL enthusiasts for his indirect jab at the Jets’ QB, who is currently absent from the Jets’ mandatory OTAs (Offseason Team Activities).
The Packers WR was asked a question about his team by the media on the final day of the 3-day mandatory minicamp. One of the reporters asked, “Can you get a feel for what this team is going to be like this year?” To which, the fourth-round draft pick in 2022, who continues to thrill his fans with his progressive performances during OTA Programs, promptly replied, “I mean, yeah, man, this team is very, very unique. Very unique, I’d say. You know, everybody participates in the OTAs, and that’s never been done. You know, quite frankly, I don’t know, but just speaking on it, I think it’s very different. You get to see him in much bigger moments than most OTAs practice today,” seemingly taking an indirect jab at the absence of Aaron Rodgers.
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However, the WR is not the only one seemingly shocked by the absence of the Jets’ QB. Many NFL fans and experts are not happy with his non-attendance from the franchise’s mandatory OTAs.
This is the first time that most NFL players are taking part and amping themselves up for the next season through this offseason activity. Rodgers’s absence has beguiled the players and the coaches, and the reason for his absence is quite strange.
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Aaron Rodgers’s absence from mandatory OTAs creates controversy
According to HC Robert Saleh, Rodgers’ absence was unjustified. “The second [absence] is Aaron,” Saleh stated. “Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started. He’s been very good with communication. He’s been here the entire time. It’s inexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him, which he communicated,” the head coach further added.
On June 12, an NFL reporter also raised the curtains on Rodgers’ nonattendance. Taking to her handle, Diana Russini unveiled the reason, captioning the post, “Aaron Rodgers is skipping all of Jets mandatory minicamp this week because he prefers to be somewhere else away from football. That’s his choice.”
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However, this is not the first time when A-rod has not participated in the mandatory OTAs programs. Last time, in 2022, the first-round pick of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers was also absent from Packers voluntary OTAs. Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed his absence.
That time, Rodgers preferred to participate in “The Match” golf exhibition with fellow quarterbacks and new Patriots’ Hall of Fame, Tom Brady, Kansas City Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes, and Buffalo Bills’ QB Josh Allen, on June 1, 2022. Surrounded by the ongoing speculation regarding Aaron Rodgers’ absence, both the Packers and Jets are intensely focused on the upcoming season.