Aaron Rodgers and his absence from the mandatory mini-camp has attracted a lot of attention in the NFL town. While some experts are in favor of A-Rod’s actions, many have taken a stand against this absenteeism. One such word of caution was directed by former Patriots star wide receiver, who could not help but compare Rodgers’ ethics in the off-season to Patriots then-quarterback Tom Brady.

“This is NFL. I was with Tom Brady in his 20th, fifth year, 23rd year, and he started, he started missing OTAs here and there, but he was still there. Never missed a mandatory mini camp. I just thought it was a bad look,” Julian Edelman commented without any hesitation on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.”

Brady’s approach to OTAs wasn’t always a straight shot down the field. Back in 2013, when he was still lacing up for the Patriots, TB12 sang a different tune about these early practices. He saw them as more than just a warm-up act – they were the opening drive of the season. Brady told the Patriots’ website back then, “The truth is, this lays the foundation for the start of training camp, and if you have a good training camp, it usually means a good start to the season.”

But let’s not forget, Brady had his timeout moments. From 2018 onwards, he started skipping OTAs. As Brady revealed in a 2020 SiriusXM interview, “The family situation wasn’t great. She wasn’t satisfied with our marriage, so I needed to make a change there.” Thus, revealing a reason for the absence as important as the football.

Rodgers, meanwhile, is running a no-huddle offense with his schedule. His supporters argue that his four MVP awards give him the right to call an audible now and then. It’s like he’s playing chess while others are playing checkers. Some fans eat this up like nachos at halftime, seeing him as a maverick. Others worry it might cause more fumbles than the team can take.

Edelman summed up his concerns bluntly: “I think it’s a bad look, uh, for your leader. For whatever reason to go and miss an unexcused absence.” The former professional did not hesitate to draw the line between the  Jets QB’s absence being a problem or not based on how the team will compete in the upcoming season.

Aaron Rodgers’ absence will be overlooked if the Jets deliver

If they go 1-3, this is going to be such a big distraction for that locker room,” Edelman cautioned. He further added, “This is New York City. It’s the media capital of the world.” Edelman’s not just throwing shade; he’s shining a spotlight on a potential weak spot in the Jets‘ game plan. With a schedule tougher than a two-dollar steak – facing the 49ers, Titans, and Patriots early on – Rodgers’ absence could leave the team exposed.

Also, given the roster overhaul of the Jets, Edelman pondered, “I guarantee there’s four or five guys, six, seven, eight, nine guys in that locker room sitting there like, where’s, where’s he at? Where’s our star quarterback?” However, despite the unease from some of the experts, Jets head coach Robert Saleh has been cool about the situation, stating he and Rodgers are “on the exact same page.”

Some of Rodgers’ teammates are rallying around their quarterback. Cornerback Sauce Gardner took to X, asking, “Are y’all really making a big deal because a 15+ year HOF QB missed 2 days of practice after being with the team all throughout Phase 1, 2, & 3 of OTA’s?? GG’s.” It’s a bold defense, reminiscent of the Packers’ famous “Iron Curtain.”

At the end of the day, the proof will be in the pudding – or in this case, the scoreboard. If the Jets come out firing on all cylinders, Rodgers’ absence will be yesterday’s news faster than one can say “touchdown.” But if they stumble out of the gate, Edelman’s words might echo louder than the J-E-T-S chant at MetLife Stadium.