Aaron Rodgers‘ absence from the New York Jets’ OTAs and minicamp has the NFL world buzzing. Meanwhile, Robert Saleh, defended the quarterback’s no-show due to a “very important thing in his life,” albeit “unexcused.” While the four-time MVP skipping the mandatory minicamp will cost him fines and has become a topic of discourse, a former Ravens QB has come forward in his defense.

Robert Griffin III vocalized his support of Rodgers, using Tom Brady as an example, in reply to the NFL author Gary Myers. The whole drama unfolded when Griffin opined that the Jets’ veteran skipping the minicamp isn’t an issue “inside the building.” He also called it a “distraction” and opined that they should’ve canceled the minicamp last year if the franchise wanted it not to gain attention.

Myers expressed his disagreement about Griffin’s suggestion to cancel the minicamp and emphasized the need for practice for the Jets, who haven’t made it to the playoffs since 2010. He wrote, “So because Rodgers had something better to do, the Jets should have cancelled the mini-camp? Wow. The Jets need every practice. They haven’t made playoffs since 2010. Rodgers needed to be there. He can’t be a leader just when it fits his calendar.”

Griffin shot back with a reply of his own and brought the Patriots legend into the picture. He quoted Brady’s leadership despite missing the OTAs for five consecutive years. Furthermore, he doesn’t mind either Brady or Rodgers’ absence as “they have earned the right to take time off.”

Griffin received mixed reactions to his tweet, with some agreeing with his statement while others finding the comparison quite unfair. Online users expressed how Brady was an established, multiple-Super Bowls winning champion when he began skipping practices. The same, however, cannot be said for Rodgers. Moreover, Brady believed practices to be important and even shared how his absence was due to one major personal reason.

Why did Tom Brady miss the OTAs?

Contrary to Griffin’s recent statement, Brady didn’t underestimate the importance of the OTAs. Back in 2013, the Patriots star discussed the significance of the practices and how they contribute to a successful season. “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,” he said via the team’s official website.

However, the QB missed practices from 2008 to 2010 and every year after 2018 until his retirement. Brady revealed the reason for the latter stretch of absence in a 2020 SiriusXM interview with Howard Stern. The QB said that his then-wife, Gisele Bündchen, felt like he wasn’t doing his “part for the family,” and she had to take care of the house and kids by herself. So he decided to make a change. “So, two years ago,” said Brady. “…I gotta take care of things with my family because the family situation wasn’t great. She wasn’t satisfied with our marriage, so I needed to make change there.”

While Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady might not be a fair example, the fact remains that players are divided on the importance of the OTAs. As for the Jets quarterback, the franchise seems to be relaxed about his absence, and only time will tell if this confidence remains intact in the upcoming season.