Moments before the Jets' first mandatory minicamp practice, HC Robert Saleh told reporters that both QB Aaron Rodgers and OLB Haason Reddick were unexcused absences.
Reddick, acquired from the Eagles in a trade that was finalized on April 1, did not participate in the team's voluntary offseason program.
"I spoke to him over the weekend," Saleh said of Reddick. "I 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 unexcused."
Reddick (6-1, 240), who racked up 11 sacks last season, totaled 50.5 sacks from 2020-23. He is entering the final season of a three-year, $45 million contract he signed with Philadelphia in 2022.
"The guy's a great dude," Saleh said. "He's been in multiple places and played at a high level at multiple places. He's a pro, a seasoned vet and the last guy I'm worried about on whether or not he'll be ready to play football He know what he needs to do to get himself ready."
Rodgers has been with the team throughout the spring, commanding the offense and looking sharp in his return to action. After sustaining an Achiiles tendon tear against the Bills in Week 1 last season, Rodgers underwent surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache last fall and handled practice preps with the scout team late last season.
"Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started," Saleh said. "He's been very good in communication – he's been here the entire time. It's unexcused but he had an event that was very important to him which he communicated."
Tyrod Taylor will handle the first-team reps in camp this week before the players depart for an extended break before training camp.
"This is a great opportunity too for Tyrod to get reps with the 1s over the next couple of days," Saleh said. "But as far as Aaron, he's been in the league for a while. He's played at a very high level. I think it will be more beneficial for Tyrod than a loss for Aaron."
Reddick, acquired for a conditional 2026 third-round pick, will turn 30 in September. Upon his Florham Park arrival, he expressed excitement about joining an "attack style" defense and said he would leave any contractual matters to his agent and GM Joe Douglas. The Camden, NJ native was one of several Jets defensive linemen who elected to work out on their own during OTAs.
"Most of them aren't here," Saleh said. You just don't get enough work anymore with the new CBA and the way OTAs are conducted, so Quinnen [Williams] wasn't here, Javon Kinlaw, Jermaine Johnson – they were all at pass rush camp. So missing the offseason program as a D-lineman especially in this day, … I don't want to downplay it because I want them all here, but I understand why they opted to go get work elsewhere because they felt it could be more productive for them."
