It’s not an NFL offseason with out the New York Jets being within the information cycle for one thing.
Despite the fact that this group hasn’t performed a lot by the use of successful over the previous decade, they all the time discover a method to change into newsworthy. Even coming off a season when the Jets’ offensive assault was offensively dangerous, they’re right here within the information. This time, the Jets have discovered themselves in a state of affairs the place individuals are reacting to June minicamp practices.
Aaron Rodgers, who was injured for his first season with the Jets, opted to not attend obligatory minicamps with an unexcused absence. The magnet that the New York highlight brings, plus Rodgers’ personal infamy, has turned this right into a whirlwind of a narrative that has ignited dialogue. Nevertheless, that is a lot ado about nothing within the case of Rodgers — and he’s not even probably the most fascinating Jets minicamp holdout!
Let’s begin with Rodgers, and let’s be actual. Rodgers has largely been a distraction since becoming a member of the Jets. From distasteful remarks made on tv to contemplating working with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on a hopeless presidential marketing campaign, Rodgers has been far and wide whereas not enjoying a complete lot of soccer. For many individuals this seems like extra of the identical with Rodgers, and to a level it’s. However what precisely is Rodgers lacking over three days of padless apply that he doesn’t have already got expertise with throughout a two-decade profession {of professional} soccer? He has been with the workforce for a 12 months and already is aware of offensive coordinator Nate Hackett’s playbook.
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Certain, it’s annoying as a result of usually star quarterbacks miss practices solely once they’re injured or holding out, neither of which apply to Rodgers. Nevertheless, nothing that Rodgers missed this week may have an imprint on the Jets’ 2024 offense. That is the primary workforce exercise that he has missed all offseason. He has been dedicated up thus far and there isn’t a lot to attract from this absence except he’s doing one thing nefarious and has an affect on a widespread quantity of individuals. That is largely a non-story with what we all know, regardless that Jets head coach Robert Saleh has been clumsy with how he’s talking about this occasion.
On the opposite aspect of the ball, the Jets have an fascinating holdout state of affairs with newly acquired move rusher Haason Reddick, who they traded for on April 1. Reddick is holding out as a result of he desires a brand new deal as he enters the ultimate 12 months of his contract. He finds himself within the precarious place of enjoying for a Jets regime that’s on the most well liked of scorching seats.
That shouldn’t be vital to Reddick. He’s turning 30 firstly of the season and has been among the finest edge rushers in soccer over the previous 4 years. That is possible his final likelihood to get yet one more big-money deal. He ought to do every part he can to safe one final contract. Then again, the Jets’ future largely relies on the outcomes of this season. They’re standing on unstable floor as they provide their greatest effort to be “all-in” for the upcoming season with Rodgers at quarterback.
The Jets traded a conditional third-round draft choose that might change into a second if Reddick performs 67.5% of the defensive snaps this season — which is feasible given how good he’s. Doubtlessly buying and selling a future second for one 12 months of soccer wouldn’t be the very best organizational apply, however there’s nonetheless loads of time to get this found out and have Reddick subsequent to Quinnen Williams for the foreseeable future.
Rodgers skipping a June apply is annoying for the Jets proper now, however in the end has no impact on what occurs to them this season. It’s one other minor distraction on an extended checklist of issues Rodgers has been part of over the previous couple years. Nevertheless, there’s little doubt that he’s going to be locked in for coaching camp, assuming he’s wholesome. Reddick’s difficulty is extra complicated, however even that has an opportunity to change into nothing by the point the season rolls out.
Gotta discuss one thing in June!