Aaron Rodgers misses Jets' mandatory minicamp

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and edge rusher Haason Reddick are not participating in the team's mandatory minicamp this week, unexcused absences that put them both at risk of fines.

Coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday he spoke to both players. Rodgers' absence is related to a prior commitment that Saleh said “is very important to him,” while Reddick's absence appears to stem from a contractual issue.

Both players could be fined $16,953 for missing the first day of minicamp and $33,908 for the second day, for a total of $50,861.

Rodgers, who is coming off a torn left Achilles tendon that ended his season after four snaps last year, attended the Jets' voluntary workouts and organized team activities throughout of the offseason. Saleh said Rodgers was on hand Monday for a physical and team photo session, but then left to attend the undisclosed event, which the quarterback told the coach about well in advance.

“Aaron and I talked before the OTAs started,” Saleh said. “He was very good at communication. He's been there all this time. It's inexcusable, but he experienced an event that was very important to him and that he communicated.

Saleh added that Rodgers would not be back Wednesday for the final practice of the two-day minicamp.

“If it’s important to him, it’s important to us,” Saleh said.

Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor was working with the starting offense in Rodgers' place.

“Selfishly, I want all of our guys to be here all the time,” Saleh said. “But when you get to those mandatory things, you make the best decision for yourself. … He made the decision and that's what he did.

Reddick did not attend the team's voluntary workouts after being acquired from Philadelphia in March, but Saleh said last week he was not concerned although he had not communicated with the former star of the Eagles in recent weeks.

Saleh then reiterated that the offseason sessions were voluntary and he expected Reddick to attend the mandatory minicamp. The coach said Tuesday that the two spoke over the weekend.

“I appreciated the dialogue,” Saleh said. “He is in a very good position, mentally, he is working hard, as we already know. But he chooses not to participate in this one.

Reddick, 29, is entering the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract — worth $14.25 million this season — and received permission from the Eagles during the offseason to search an exchange. None of Reddick's salary for this season is guaranteed and it is speculated that he is seeking an extension, but Saleh deferred to general manager Joe Douglas when asked if he thought that was the case.

Reddick also lost a $250,000 workout bonus for not attending offseason workouts.

The Jets acquired Reddick, a two-time Pro Bowl champion with 58 career sacks in seven NFL seasons, from the Eagles in March for a conditional third-round pick in 2026. The pick would become a second-rounder if Reddick plays 67.5 % of defensive snaps and gets 10 sacks this year.

“I’m not worried,” Saleh said. “I understand everything that’s going on, but at the same time I know that when it comes time to play football, like I said before, he’ll be ready to play football.”