The New York Jets will open mandatory minicamp without two of their biggest names: Aaron Rodgers and Haason Reddick.
Head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Tuesday that Rodgers and Reddick were both unexcused absences from minicamp.
Skipping the two-day minicamp subjects each player to fines. According to the NFL's current collective bargaining agreement, players who miss minicamp without an excused absence can be fined $16,953 for the first day and $33,908 for the second day ($50,855 for a potential third day). Rodgers and Reddick are subject to a total of $50,861.
Reddick is officially a holdout after skipping voluntary workouts. Saleh said last week he expected the edge rusher at mandatory minicamp, alas Reddick declined to show.
Gang Green traded for the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher this spring, sending Philadelphia a conditional 2026 third-round pick. Reddick has one year left on his contract with a base salary of $14.25 million. The deal had been a sticking point all offseason, as the Eagles granted his camp permission to seek out a trade in early February.
The Jets eventually made the move in late March after losing pass-rush specialist Bryce Huff to Philly in free agency. At the time of the trade, it was assumed that a new contract would come shortly thereafter. As we reach the end of offseason workouts, a pact remains elusive, so Reddick will remain away from the club.
"Spoke to him over the weekend," Saleh said on Tuesday. "Appreciate the dialogue. He's in a really good place mentally, working his tail off like we already know, but he's choosing to sit out this one. Inexcused."
As for Rodgers, Saleh stressed that while it's an unexcused absence, the team was aware the quarterback wouldn't attend minicamp due to a previous engagement. Rodgers had been a participant in the Jets' voluntary workouts.
"Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started," Saleh said on Tuesday. "He's been very good in communication. He's been here the entire time. It's inexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him, which he communicated."
Veteran players missing non-contact practices in June isn't the end of the world -- especially in Rodgers' case since he's been around all spring -- but it's notable. Reddick's situation is particularly interesting given the offseason trade that brought him to New York.
