The absence of Haason Reddick, a key player, from the Jets facility continues to be a significant development.
However, Aaron Rodgers’ unexpected inclusion on the absentee list for the mandatory minicamp added a surprising twist.
Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Tuesday that not only did Reddick not report for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, but so did Aaron Rodgers.
Both players are subject to fines for not reporting to mandatory minicamp.
“We both have two unexcused absences, one of them being Haason,” Saleh said. “Spoke to him over the weekend, and I appreciate the dialogue, and he is in a really good place mentally and working his tail off.
“Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started. He has been good with communication and has been here the entire time. It’s unexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him.”
The Jets acquired Reddick in a trade with the Eagles on April 1. However, he has not been with the team during their offseason workouts, which has cost him $250,000 in workout bonuses.
Reddick is in the final year of his contract, scheduled to pay him $14.2 million. He has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract.
Reddick’s failure to report to the mandatory minicamp has resulted in the loss of his workout bonus and a potential loss of more than $50,000.
When the Jets acquired Reddick, it was thought that he and the team were working on an extension. But no such agreement has been made.
During the last four seasons, Reddick has recorded double-digit sacks with the Cardinals (2020) and Panthers (2021) and the previous two seasons with the Eagles (50.5 during that four-year span). In his first season with the Eagles in 2022, Reddick posted a career-high in sacks (16) along with 49 tackles and 11 tackles for loss. Reddick followed that up last year with a 38-tackle, 11-sack campaign. He was named to the Pro Bowl in both seasons in Philly.
When he was in Philadelphia, Reddick indicated he was seeking a contract extension. When he didn’t receive that and after Bryce Huff signed a three-year, $51.1 million with the Eagles, they put Reddick on the trade market. That’s when the Jets acquired the pass rusher for a conditional 2026 third-round pick that could be a second if Reddick plays at least 67.5% of the upcoming season and has 10 or more sacks.
Rodgers’ absence from mandatory minicamp is a surprise. He has participated throughout the Jets’ spring workouts. Rodgers was actually in the building on Monday for Jets media day.
Tyrod Taylor will receive first-team reps during minicamp, with Rodgers not practicing the next two days. The Jets signed him to a two-year contract in March.
“He has been fantastic, Saleh said about Taylor. “Elite human, elite leader. The speed at which he is grasping the offense has been pretty cool. He is calling two-minute [offenses] already. He is going to get another opportunity tomorrow to do the same thing.”
