The New York Jets confirmed Tuesday that quarterback Aaron Rodgers and edge rusher Haason Reddick would miss the team’s obligatory two-day minicamp. Both absences are unexcused, thus both players face penalties.
Reddick’s absence, which was not predicted, deepens a contract dispute between the Jets and their most significant offseason acquisition. Rodgers completed the needed physical and attended the team’s media day on Monday before departing town.
“Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started,” stated Coach Robert Saleh. “He’s quite excellent at communicating. He has been here the whole time. Yet he had a really significant occasion that he spoke about.
Rodgers has been a fixture at voluntary exercises for the previous two offseasons, emphasizing the necessity of developing team camaraderie and reducing distractions, making his absence even more noticeable. The four-time MVP, who underwent Achilles surgery 9 months earlier, had participated fully in three weeks of OTA sessions.
Saleh sought to minimize Rodgers’ absence, claiming it was not unexpected given the 40-year-old quarterback’s prior notice. Saleh said he was not dissatisfied.
“No,” he said. “Selfishly, I want our boys here all the time, but when it comes to these required things, you make the best choice for yourself. Obviously, selfishly, he wants all of them home at all times, but he made a choice and went there.” Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor will lead the first-team offense during the minicamp.
Because the minicamp is mandated, Rodgers and Reddick will be fined $16,953 for skipping the first day and $33,908 for missing the second day. Reddick has already lost his $250,000 workout bonus. Running back Breece Hall said Rodgers’ absence isn’t a major concern.
“He’s still trying to come back, still getting back to feeling right from his injury and everything,” Hall said. “I know he works his tail off. Whether he’s here or not, I know he’s fully committed.”
Reddick, 29, was acquired in a March 29 trade with the Philadelphia Eagles and is set to earn a non-guaranteed $14.25 million base salary in the last year of his deal with the Eagles in 2022. His no-show concludes an offseason in which he did not participate in any voluntary exercises.
In exchange for Reddick, general manager Joe Douglas was thrilled because the player had “an electric presence off the edge.” Douglas also praised the 2026 conditional third-round selection that Reddick received. Reddick was generally known to seek a new deal, but the Jets made the transaction regardless, certain they could make the partnership work.
The Jets have not ruled out a long-term deal, but it seems they would prefer to wait. The organization does not seem worried by the issue and believes Reddick will have a solid season.
The organization must consider long-term planning, as many veterans, most notably nickelback Michael Carter II and cornerback D.J. Reed, are due for contract extensions. In 2025, talents like wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner will be eligible for new contracts.
Saleh said that he reached out to Reddick over the weekend, their first conversation since the trade. The coach would comment on their chat and would not confirm that Reddick is unhappy with his contract, but a source stated that it is a contract problem.
When asked why they traded for a guy who seemed unhappy with his deal, Saleh referred to Douglas. Douglas often does not talk with the media during the off-season program.
“He’s in a really good place mentally, working his tail off like we already knew, but he’s choosing to sit out this one unexcused,” Saleh said.
It’s a bad look for the Jets, who are so committed to Reddick as an every-down player that they dealt veteran starter John Franklin-Myers to the Denver Broncos before the draft. Douglas defended the action, stating that they couldn’t afford to maintain Franklin-Myers after absorbing Reddick’s salary.
Before that, the Eagles signed 26-year-old pass rusher Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million deal, including a $34 million guarantee. Huff was the Jets’ leading sacker until he left in free agency. The Eagles decided to invest in the younger Huff over Reddick, who was granted permission to seek a trade.
Douglas often does not extend contracts to players 29 and older, or those obtained in trade. Ravens tight end Ryan Griffin was the lone veteran in that age group to secure an extension. Griffin, who was 29 years old when he signed the $9.6 million, three-year deal in November 2019, was the only one.
The Jets renegotiated Rodgers’ contract a year ago after obtaining him in a trade, but the new agreement included a salary reduction to help provide financial flexibility.
Reddick’s pass-rushing abilities piqued the Jets’ interest. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler who has 50.5 sacks over the last four seasons, ranking fourth in the NFL.
In Reddick’s absence, the Jets’ starting defensive end position is occupied by Michael Clemons, while Will McDonald IV, a first-round selection in 2023, is expected to step in as a situational rusher for Huff.
