Commentary: Rodgers reveals the Jets’ largest downside

Aaron Rodgers has determined to keep away from the New York Jets’ obligatory NFL minicamp. What appears innocent at first sight, nevertheless, as soon as once more clearly exhibits the basic downside of Gang Inexperienced. Opinion.

In January, Aaron Rodgers, who, as is well-known, was nearly utterly out of motion within the Massive Apple because of an Achilles tendon harm, despatched a transparent motion to his colleagues and certainly to the complete group: “If you wish to be a profitable group and put your self ready to win championships and be aggressive, every part you do is necessary and something that is not about successful has to get out of the constructing. “

The eccentric quarterback’s message, which has repeatedly drawn consideration to itself in numerous media shops with generally absurd background noises, was no extra “bullshit”. The quarterback who, after a press convention on the finish of this yr, drew consideration to himself with, amongst different issues, conspiracy theories on matters resembling AIDS, the Kennedy assassination and as a attainable vice-presidential candidate being there for the much more controversial Robert F. Kennedy Jr. .

And this quarterback, so targeted on the group and his success, additionally thought it was okay to skip this week’s minicamp, which was obligatory for everybody. “No excuses,” as head coach Robert Saleh defined. And as we additionally know from Athletic reporter Dianna Russini, that was his free resolution and it wasn’t a non-public dedication or something like that.

Rogers and Saleh “on the identical wavelength”

Aaron Rodgers didn’t wish to attend these two days of camp. And it would not matter that the degrees of Jets and Rodgers apologists within the media and throughout the group itself are actually bending over backwards in numerous methods to show it. Saleh felt he needed to verify a number of occasions on Wednesday that every part was agreed and that they had been “on the identical wavelength.” But it surely’s nonetheless typical of Rodgers that his actions are utterly totally different from his phrases.

A media report from a New York journalist said that Rodgers had already deliberate his “tour” throughout his rehab interval so he didn’t know when this minicamp could be scheduled. By some means everybody else managed to take part within the camp – apart from Haason Reddick, who’s after the cash. Plus: As “FS1” checked, no quarterback within the NFL has skipped minicamp since 2021. And who was the final particular person to determine that out? Naturally Aaron Rodgers.

A number of gamers who talked about the problem, like Saleh, confirmed that none of this was an issue as a result of Rodgers was current for each voluntary coaching session this yr. And perhaps that is the case. Ultimately, it will not change a lot for the upcoming season. However if you need calmness within the group – and at the very least I’ve not seen former gamers remark – such habits is counterproductive.

Above all, it casts a foul mild on an already controversial group that may and ought to be questioned at each degree for years and many years. If Saleh knew about this for months, why does he assume it is clever to name his famous person’s absence “unexcused”? With out giving any context. Why wasn’t the group instructed upfront? We all know that backup QB Tyrod Taylor solely came upon Tuesday morning that he could be getting the nod from the primary group.

Rodgers is creating an disagreeable scenario

Rodgers put everybody in an ungainly place as a result of they needed to reply questions on one thing they did not care about. Nevertheless, they could already be used to this in New York, after Rodgers was the speak of the city after nearly each weekly look at McAfee final yr.

The Jets wish to win the Tremendous Bowl, a degree they haven’t reached since Joe Namath’s wager within the 1968 season. And after simply not being in a great place for this yr, they’re now on the gaps most of their group to shut.

However they’re utterly depending on the whims and efficiency of a quarterback (40-year-old), for whom they’ve deliberate every part, simply every part. Play caller and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett stays, as do Saleh and basic supervisor Joe Douglas. Everybody who, as many suspect, nonetheless wears inexperienced because of the grace of Rodgers.

Rodgers’ absence from minicamp finally will not play a job within the grand scheme of issues, however it seems he alone will resolve whether or not the Jets cool down in some unspecified time in the future — or not.

Marcus Blumberg