Jets' Robert Saleh and Aaron Rodgers 'are on the exact same page'
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh speaks to reporters before practice at the NFL football team's training facility in Florham Park, N.J., Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Credit: AP/Pamela Smith
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Robert Saleh continued to downplay Aaron Rodgers' unexcused absence from the Jets’ mandatory minicamp.
Rodgers chose to be away from the team to attend an event. Saleh said Rodgers informed him about it, and that the 40-year-old quarterback knew his absence would be considered unexcused and that he’s subject to be fined.
“Aaron and I are on the exact same page,” Saleh said before Wednesday’s final minicamp practice. “There’s no issue between Aaron or his teammates for that matter. We addressed it yesterday. It’s more of an issue for everyone outside the building than it is inside. That’s about it.”
Rodgers and edge rusher Haason Reddick did not attend the two-day minicamp.
Reddick, acquired from the Eagles in March, has been a no-show for everything this spring because of a contract dispute.
Rodgers, who is returning from a torn left Achilles tendon, had taken part in everything before this week. This was the Jets' last team workouts before training camp next month. Saleh said the event Rodgers chose to attend is “very important to him.” Saleh said he hasn’t spoken to Rodgers the last couple of days.
Still, it’s a bad optic that Rodgers, the Jets quarterback and leader, is not present after he was adamant about eliminating distractions. At the end of last season. Rodgers said things that have "nothing to do with winning has to get out of the building.” In his brief Jets tenure, Rodgers has made more headlines for things he’s done and said away from the field than on it.
“Selfishly, I want all our guys here all the time, but when you get to these mandatory things, you make the best decision for yourself,” Saleh said. “Obviously, selfishly I want all of them here all the time, but he made a decision and that's what he went with.”
Mike Williams working toward return
Mike Williams (torn ACL) plans to continue to rehab at the Jets’ facility during this break. His expects to be ready for the start of the season and can’t wait to catch passes from Rodgers.
“I feel like we can be a good combination,” Williams said. “I feel like he knows where to put the ball, he knows coverage. I feel like he’s going to put me in the right position to be successful.”
Lifting Allen Lazard's play
Rodgers also should help Allen Lazard, his former Packers teammate who was a disappointment after signing a four-year, $44 million contract last year. Saleh said Lazard has come back with “a renewed mindset” and believes he will have “a nice bounce-back year.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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