Why Jets didn't care about Aaron Rodgers' minicamp absences

There's more information about why the New York Jets are seemingly unbothered by the fact that quarterback Aaron Rodgers skipped the club's two-day mandatory minicamp for a vacation in June.

SNY's Connor Hughes shared on Monday that Rodgers "had a pre-planned trip to Egypt" that the signal-caller scheduled amid his recovery from the torn Achilles he suffered early into the 2023 regular-season opener this past September.

"The Jets were made aware of the trip when the official minicamp dates were announced (June 11, 12) and overlapped with Rodgers' plans," Hughes explained. "While an unexcused absence, the team is not concerned, sources told SNY, that this will impact Rodgers' season."

Hughes and others previously noted how Rodgers had "been a regular at voluntary workouts" throughout the spring. 

Head coach Robert Saleh, cornerback D.J. Reed and running back Breece Hall are among the noteworthy individuals within the Jets who have defended the future Hall of Famer for missing what, in the grand scheme of things, are meaningless practices as it pertains to the squad finding success this fall.

"Multiple players SNY touched base with had zero issue with Rodgers missing minicamp, all pointing towards his attendance during the voluntary portion," Hughes added on Monday. "Those same players were surprised that those outside One Jets Drive felt differently."

While Hughes mentioned that the Jets "did not want to set a precedent for players missing mandatory workouts for pre-planned trips," it remains unclear why Rodgers didn't simply confirm in May he'd accept any fines related to skipping the sessions as an unexcused absence. Doing so could've convinced outsiders everybody involved was on the same page.

Rodgers is expected to report on time for the start of training camp, and Hughes said that the 40-year-old "showed little, if any, signs of the injury that cost him all but four snaps of the 2023 season" this spring. 

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Jets at -160 betting odds to make the playoffs this coming season.

If nothing else, the often-outspoken Rodgers should have plenty to say about public reactions to his June whereabouts when he steps in front of microphones and cameras later this month.