Two of the New York Jets’ biggest names—Aaron Rodgers and Haason Reddick—were absent from the start of the team’s mandatory minicamp unexcused this week, according to Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
“Aaron and I spoke before OTAs [organized team activities] started,” Mr. Saleh told reporters on Tuesday. “He’s been very good in communication—he’s been here the entire time.
“It’s unexcused but he had an event that was very important to him which he communicated,” said Mr. Saleh.
He did not mention what event Mr. Rodgers was attending.
Back-up quarterback Tyrod Taylor will handle the first-team reps in camp with Rodgers away, the Jets said.
According to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, players who miss the first day of mandatory minicamp for an unexcused reason can be subject to a $16,953 fine. Missing the second day comes with a $33,908 fine, while there’s a penalty of $50,855 for missing the third day.
According to Spotrac, Mr. Rodgers’s 2024 cap hit will be just over $17 million, with a $3,161,112 base salary, a $7-million signing bonus, and a $7-million option.
The Jets’ mandatory minicamp began on Tuesday and runs until Thursday.
Each club can conduct one mandatory minicamp during Phase Three of the off-season workout program. Whereas previous practice was voluntary, “skipping mandatory minicamp is a finable offense,” according to the NFL.
This is the last week before the NFL’s summer break, and more than 20 clubs are holding mandatory minicamps this week.
Even though it is not unheard of for veteran players to skip a day of a minicamp, Mr. Rodgers’s case is more interesting because of his missing most of the 2023 season after tearing his Achilles tendon. He tore his Achilles tendon after just four snaps in his first game for the team, after arriving in the offseason to great fanfare.
There were rumors of his return near the end of last season but he stayed away, choosing to continue the rehabilitation of his injury.
The 41-year-old quarterback has already practiced with the team during voluntary workouts, as seen in photos from the Jets’ social media page.
Jets’ linebacker Haason Reddick was also absent from the minicamp, and was similarly unexcused. Mr. Reddick also skipped the earlier voluntary workouts.
“I spoke to him over the weekend,” Mr. Saleh said of Mr. Reddick. “I appreciate the dialogue. He’s in a really good place mentally, working his tail off like we already know. But he’s choosing to sit out this one unexcused.”
Mr. Reddick was traded to New York from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason, having achieved 11 sacks last year.
Minicamps, with 11-on-11 sessions, provide the best opportunity for evaluation ahead of July training camps.
The CNN Wire contributed to this report.