Rodgers was fined however says he, Jets coach 'nice'

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — After touring the pyramids and driving a camel final month in Egypt, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was again in a well-recognized place on Wednesday: in entrance of a media throng, explaining himself.

Rodgers addressed his unexcused absence from the two-day minicamp in June, saying there was a scheduling battle together with his deliberate trip to Egypt and that there isn’t any residual stress in his relationship with coach Robert Saleh.

And, sure, he was fined by the crew. Exercising their rights underneath the collective bargaining settlement, the Jets docked him “a little bit extra” than $50,000 for skipping the obligatory occasion, Rodgers confirmed.

“It is clearly extra of a difficulty exterior the constructing than there was contained in the constructing,” Rodgers stated after the primary coaching camp apply. “Robert and I are nice. We had nice conversations all through the offseason. [We] had a enjoyable one final night time in his workplace until in a while. So, it’s what it’s.

“I am an grownup. I knew what I used to be stepping into. I knew the high-quality that was coming and likewise knew how a lot I wished to be in Egypt. I want there hadn’t been a battle scheduling-wise, however it was what it was.”

Clearly, Saleh wished to place it previously.

“I’ve had dialogue with Aaron all through the summer season,” he stated. “I obtained some cool photos from him. [We] had our regular conversations. Nothing has been damaged, however the minicamp stuff, we talked beforehand, so we’re on the identical web page with every thing that has occurred.”

Rodgers stated he booked the journey — a “bucket listing” trip, he known as it — primarily based on the Jets’ 2023 offseason schedule, considering they’d be wrapped up by the primary week of June. Factor is, they did not have a minicamp final 12 months. Saleh gave the crew an early trip due to an early begin to coaching camp because of the Corridor of Fame Sport in Canton, Ohio.

As soon as he realized there was a battle, “I attempted to maneuver some issues round,” Rodgers stated. “It simply did not occur.”

It mushroomed into an enormous story. Rodgers downplayed the significance of minicamp, mainly saying it is a glorified OTA apply. He was a full participant within the OTA practices, which had been voluntary.

On Tuesday, he reported to camp carrying a T-shirt that featured an Egyptian goddess. He insisted he wasn’t attempting to troll critics, that it was merely a random vogue alternative.

From the Jets’ perspective, probably the most vital factor is that Rodgers has recovered from Achilles surgical procedure, getting ready for his twentieth season amid massive expectations. “The objective is New Orleans,” he stated, referring to the positioning of the Tremendous Bowl. “That must be the main target.”

Rodgers, injured on the fourth snap of the 2023 season, stated his Achilles feels nice. On the similar time, he acknowledged it should “take some time” earlier than he returns to his pre-injury type. By that, he meant from a psychological standpoint — i.e. resharpening his reflexes and instincts.

“It may take a pleasant coaching camp to really feel like myself,” he stated. On the ultimate play of apply, Rodgers stepped up within the pocket and threw on the transfer, hitting Allen Lazard for a brief landing. He wants extra of these performs, he stated, to regain his previous rhythm.

As soon as once more, the Jets are relying on the four-time MVP to guide them again to the playoffs; their 13-year drought is the longest within the NFL.

“When he is within the constructing,” star cornerback Sauce Gardner stated, “we have now a normal.”