Aaron Rodgers Turns Heads With Appearance at UFC 303 After Unexcused Absence from Jets

After skipping the New York Jets' mandatory minicamp and returning from an overseas trip, Aaron Rodgers finally showed his face.

The New York Jets quarterback was spotted at Saturday's UFC 303 event, sitting with former Green Bay Packers teammate Marcedes Lewis. Jets reporter Harrison Glaser shared a picture of the pair sitting ringside.

Rodgers attracted criticism when he skipped the team's mandatory minicamp this month, with former teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling confirming in an appearance on "The Herd” on FS1 that the quarterback made a trip to Egypt.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said at the time that Rodgers did not have an excused absence but had been in contact with the team about his trip.

“Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started. He’s been very good in communication, he’s been here the entire time,” Saleh said, via the New York Post . “It’s unexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him, which he communicated to me.”

Related: Aaron Rodgers With Unexcused Absence From Jets Minicamp

Rodgers' appearance at UFC 303 led to some more criticism, especially after he declined the chance to get extra practice time with his teammates. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk called out Rodgers for his lack of focus on his team this offseason.

"It will be interesting to see what, if anything, Rodgers says about his mandatory minicamp no-show and the team’s decision to call it an unexcused absence and fine him, when he nexts talks to reporters," Florio wrote. "Along the way, he’ll possibly find a way to complain about media members who dared to comment on his decision not to attend, while also suggesting that anyone who would scrutinize him is on the payroll of Big Pharma."