FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — 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 subject both to fines.
Coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday he has spoken to both players. Rodgers' absence is related to a previous commitment that Saleh said “is very important to him,” while Reddick's appears to stem from a contract issue.
Rodgers, who's 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 the offseason. Saleh said Rodgers was at the facility Monday for a physical and team photo shoots, but then left to attend the undisclosed event, which the quarterback told the coach about well in advance.
“Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started,” Saleh said. “He's been very good with communication. He's been here the entire time. It's inexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him — which he communicated.”
Reddick didn’t attend the team’s voluntary workouts after being acquired from Philadelphia in March, but Saleh said last week he wasn’t concerned despite not communicating with the former Eagles star during the last several weeks.
Saleh reiterated then that the offseason sessions were voluntary and he expected Reddick to attend mandatory minicamp. The coach said Tuesday the two spoke over the weekend.
“I appreciate the dialogue," Saleh said. “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.”
The 29-year-old Reddick is entering the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract — worth a base salary of $14.25 million this season — and was given permission during the offseason by the Eagles to seek a trade. None of Reddick’s salary for this season is guaranteed and it’s speculated he’s seeking an extension, but Saleh has deferred to general manager Joe Douglas when asked if he thought that was the case.
The Jets acquired Reddick, a two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher 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 the defensive snaps and gets 10 sacks this year.
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