“Missing” Aaron Rodgers Latest Reveal Sparks Same Old Commitment Issues in New City New York

Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been a New York Jets quarterback for two weeks and the controversial headlines have already started arriving. The first glimpses of his training with the Jets receivers made NY fans ecstatic. However, Rodgers dampened the rush with a small announcement during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show this week. Something that’s still good by the standards Rodgers set at Green Bay, but concerning, nonetheless, for experts and analysts.

Rodgers left the Packers after 18 years to join a young Jets team hopeful for a championship. If not that, the Gang Green are at least looking for some success in the postseason. Understandably, quarterbacking a new team would mean increased preparations and getting to know the offense from scratch for the 4x NFL MVP. However, A-Rod’s decision can affect that process significantly.

Aaron Rodgers not showing up for training activities?

Ever since the April 25th signing of Aaron Rodgers, the Metropolis area has been a hotbed of excitement and anticipation. Jets fans simply cannot wait for the 2023 season to kick off. Rodgers is equally thrilled. On the first Pat McAfee Show appearance since the trade from the Green Bay Packers, the QB said that he even had to pinch himself to believe that he was the Gang Green quarterback. However, that’s not all he shared.

ALSO READ: Long-Time Rival Calls Out Aaron Rodgers’ Ability to Make Jets a Contender

Speaking about his latest offseason team training at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, the Super Bowl XLV MVP said that he intended to attend “more than half” of their remaining workouts before preseason. That’s still more than what he did with the Packers. However, the guest host on The Rich Eisen Show, Dan Hellie, questioned Rodgers’ mentality.

“The bad news is he is going to be missing up to 49% of the offseason workouts,” Hellie said. “I don’t get it. I just don’t understand the mentality of Aaron Rodgers. This is the guy that’s supposed to be helping Nathaniel Hackett install the offense. Helping these guys get acclimated. Or am I overthinking this? And does it not matter at all?”

Hellie even brought up the example of 7x Lombardi winner Tom Brady. TB12 dove into the voluntary off-season program when he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after leaving the Patriots. More recently, the NFL world saw Patrick Mahomes throwing to draft pool receivers and helping the Chiefs with scouting. Surely, the New York media will adore Rodgers for displaying the same level of leadership.

New York Jets have everything they need to win

Rodgers got almost everything he demanded. The Jets pocket, a reunion with former Packers OC, Nathaniel Hackett, and two of his trusted glue guys from the Packers arsenal; Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb. This adds some receiving options alongside the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Garrett Wilson. Robert Saleh’s team also houses one of the league’s strongest defenses. So what is Hellie’s solution to the problem at hand? “Just give him a gentle nudge and let him know that it’s pretty important to be at the voluntary offseason workouts.”

The New York Jets haven’t been to the playoffs since 2010. Surprisingly, that was also the last time Aaron Rodgers laid his hands on a Super Bowl trophy. Coincidence or destiny? Time will tell. For now, the AFC East franchise has bigger OTA concerns before training camp starts in late July.

WATCH THIS STORY: Packers universe goes through roller coaster of emotions after breaking up with Aaron Rodgers