FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and running back Haason Reddick will miss the team's mandatory two-day minicamp, the team announced Tuesday. Both absences are unexcused, meaning both players are subject to fines.
Reddick's absence, not entirely unexpected, intensifies a contract dispute between the Jets and their biggest offseason addition. Rodgers underwent the required physical and participated in the team's media day, both on Monday, before leaving town.
“Aaron and I talked before OTAs started,” coach Robert Saleh said. “He's very good at communication. He's been here the whole time. He's [unexcused]”But he had an event that was very important to him and he communicated it.”
Rodgers has been a regular at voluntary workouts over the past two offseasons, preaching the importance of developing team chemistry and eliminating distractions, which makes his absence even more noticeable. The four-time MVP, nine months removed from Achilles surgery, had participated fully in practice during three weeks of OTA practices.
Saleh tried to downplay Rodgers' absence, saying it wasn't a surprise because the 40-year-old quarterback had given advance notice. Saleh insisted that he was not disappointed.
“Did not say. “Selfishly, I want our guys to be here all the time, but when you get to these mandatory things, you make the best decision for yourself. Obviously, selfishly, I want them all here all the time, but he made a decision and that's it.” where he went.”
Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor will lead the first-team offense in minicamp.
Because minicamp is mandatory, Rodgers and Reddick are subject to a fine of $16,953 for missing the first day and $33,908 for the second day. Reddick has already forfeited a $250,000 training bonus.
Running back Breece Hall said Rodgers' absence isn't a big deal.
“He's still trying to come back, still feel good after his injury and everything,” Hall said. “I know he's working hard. Whether he's here or not, I know he's all in.”
Reddick, 29, acquired in a March 29 trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, will receive a non-guaranteed base salary of $14.25 million in the final year of the contract he signed with the Eagles in 2022. His absence caps an offseason . in which he skipped all voluntary training.
General manager Joe Douglas was ecstatic when he traded a conditional 2026 third-round pick for Reddick, calling him “an electric presence off the edge.” It was widely known that Reddick wanted a new contract, but the Jets made the trade anyway, confident they could make the relationship work.
The Jets haven't closed the door on the possibility of a long-term extension, but the feeling is they would prefer to wait. The organization does not seem alarmed by the situation and remains confident that Reddick will have a productive season.
The organization has to be mindful of long-term planning, as a handful of veterans are up for potential contract extensions, notably nickelback Michael Carter II and cornerback DJ Reed. In 2025, stars like wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner will be eligible for new deals.
Saleh said he contacted Reddick over the weekend, his first communication since the trade. The coach declined to comment on his conversation and did not confirm that Reddick is upset with his contract, although a source confirmed it is a contractual issue.
When asked why they traded for a player apparently unhappy with his contract, Saleh referred it to Douglas. Typically, Douglas doesn't speak to the media during the offseason program.
“He is in a very good place mentally, working hard as we already knew, but he has chosen not to participate in this without excuse,” Saleh said.
It creates bad optics for the Jets, who are so committed to Reddick as an every-down player that they traded veteran starting wing John Franklin-Myers to the Denver Broncos during the draft. Douglas explained that move by saying they couldn't afford to keep Franklin-Myers after absorbing Reddick's contract.
Before that, the Jets lost sack leader Bryce Huff in free agency to the Eagles, who gave the 26-year-old pass rusher a three-year, $51 million contract, including a $34 million guarantee. The Eagles preferred to invest in young Huff rather than reinvest in Reddick, who was given permission to pursue a trade.
Douglas generally does not extend contracts to players age 29 or older or those acquired in trades. The only veteran in that age group to earn an extension was tight end Ryan Griffin, who was 29 when he received a three-year, $9.6 million contract in November 2019.
A year ago, the Jets renegotiated Rodgers' contract after acquiring him in a trade, but his reworked deal actually represented a pay cut to help create salary cap flexibility.
The Jets were attracted to Reddick because of his ability to rush passers. He is a two-time Pro Bowl player who has recorded 50.5 sacks over the past four seasons, fourth most in the NFL over that span.
Without Reddick, the Jets' best defensive ends are starter Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons and Will McDonald IV, a 2023 first-round pick who is being counted on to help replace Huff as a situational running back.
