New York Jets stars are not bothered by franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers skipping mandatory minicamp for a trip to Egypt.
The 40-year-old is gearing up for his second season at the Jets , and the four-time NFL MVP will be hoping for better luck after 2023 lasted just four snaps. Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the Week 1 win over the Buffalo Bills.
The Jets went on to have another miserable losing season, with 2021 second-overall pick Zach Wilson struggling to fill the future NFL Hall of Famer's shoes. Rodgers is now on the road to recovery and NFL teams are starting their preparations for the 2024 campaign - but the QB wasn't present for the mandatory minicamp.
According to SNY , Rodgers' absence had no impact on the Jets, who were aware of his trip to Egpyt . And players had reached out to express that they had “zero issues” with Rodgers missing the late June minicamp. The Jets went all in on Rodgers before the 2023 campaign in hopes he would help end their playoff drought. The last time the Jets played a playoff game was in 2010, a 24-19 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
READ MORE: 49ers called out for 'disrespectful' treatment of star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk
READ MORE: Cam Newton names the real best 'dual threat' in NFL history
Rodgers expressed his enthusiasm on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio ahead of the season: "I love it. We are must-watch TV. And that's pretty obvious. Everybody knows that. Whether you love me or hate me, people wanna see me play.
"They enjoy watching me play. And we are a team to watch this year. Not surprising. Six prime-time games in the first 11 or 12 weeks. I love it. You know, make it difficult."
The Jets also had a productive 2024 NFL Draft. They got their hands on a top offensive line college star. At 11th, the Jets picked up Penn State offensive tackle, Olu Fashanu. Rodgers revealed that Fashanu was a welcomed addition loved by the Jets' front office after major restructuring on the offensive line.
Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news
"We already made three moves in the offseason [to address the offensive line] with bringing John [Simpson] to play guard, Morgan [Moses] to play tackle and Tyron [Smith] to play tackle as well, so it wasn't necessarily at the top of the needs," Rodgers said. "But I know they really loved Olu."
Rodgers added: "He didn't give up a sack, I don't think, in his entire college career. Which is saying a lot, because you're going against great schools in the Big Ten like Wisconsin, and every now and then Iowa."
The wide receiver room was a cause for concern, though, heading into this offseason. However, Rodgers isn't too bothered. "I love our skill group," he said. "I knew we really liked all three of the receivers [Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze], so I was watching film on those guys, I was watching film on the lineman. Olu is a mauler. He had an incredible career at Penn State. He's not gonna need to jump in right away, at tackle, for sure. We'll see if we work him in at guard. I think he's gonna have a long career in the league."
Most Popular
Comments / 0