Report: Aaron Rodgers missed Jets mandatory minicamp because of trip to Egypt

Aaron Rodgers reportedly missed New York Jets’ mandatory minicamp due to a planned trip to Egypt, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said his quarterback’s absence was not excused. Once that got out, there were a lot of theories and speculation as to why Rodgers was not with the team.

But this was a long time in the works, according to Hughes.

“Rodgers originally pieced this trip together during his recovery from his Achilles injury,” Hughes wrote. “It gave him something to look forward to during one of the lowest points of his career. He’s long admired Egyptian culture and scheduled the visit for what was believed to be after the offseason programs.

“The Jets were made aware of the trip when the official minicamp dates were announced (June 11, 12) and overlapped with Rodgers’ plans. While an unexcused absence, the team is not concerned, sources told SNY, that this will impact Rodgers’ season. They wanted him at minicamp but were understanding of how important this trip was for him. As one source put it: Rodgers’ absence during the two-day minicamp will not impact the Jets season whatsoever.”

Rodgers attended every day of the team’s Phase 1 voluntary workouts and only missed one week of Phase 2. As the report stated, multiple players had zero issue with Rodgers’ trip.

Aaron Rodgers missed minicamp due to trip to Egypt

So with this situation now in the rearview mirror, all focus is on Rodgers and the Jets for training camp. After playing just one series in 2023, tearing his Achilles, a fully healthy Rodgers could be the biggest difference in New York.

Back in May, he revealed how he felt amid his recovery and getting back to full strength.

“I feel really good,” Rodgers said after the Jets finished practice. “It’s just about the mental part. These practices have been nice the last couple of days. Feel(ing) what it’s like to be out there, to be moving around. to not be moving around, to not be thinking about it. And to see how I respond the next day. It’s the last part.”

New York’s top draft selection, Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu, was signed off by Rodgers. The offensive line was one of the weaker points for the Jets in 2023.

“Yeah I mean we already made three moves in the offseason bringing in John [Simpson] to play guard, and Morgan [Moses] to play tackle, and Tyron [Smith] to play tackle as well,” Rodgers said. “So it wasn’t necessarily the top of the needs, but I know they really loved Olu and I loved what Joe [Douglas] did moving back and getting a couple more picks.”