I once said in this series that Bruce Springsteen is often prophetic, and I feel that gets proven right again and again. I didn’t expect to be sitting here writing about the Jets on this beautiful Wednesday night, as we have been on a break from this series for a while, but sometimes something happens that is too good (or bad) to pass up. We are here once again to write about the circus that is Aaron Rodgers, who continues to make a nuisance of himself off the field. Now you might be asking yourself, how could he make a nuisance of himself at the height of the offseason in June with everyone settling in for a break before training camp opens, but where there is a will there is a way.

The Jets are currently holding their mandatory mini-camp as a prelude to training camp and while it is a somewhat mundane time for them, it’s an important step in the offseason as the team works to build themselves up for next season. It has been deemed important enough by all but two players to attend as new pass rusher Hassan Reddick is not in attendance due to a contract dispute (something that will hopefully resolve itself soon), and Aaron Rodgers is not there because…it isn’t that important to him? The surprise announcement came yesterday as “head coach” Robert Saleh went to the podium and informed the media that his quarterback would not be in training camp due to an “unexcused absence” for an “important personal event.”

Take less from the words in the above clip and more from expressions on the face of the gentleman saying them. Saleh can claim that Rodgers absence doesn’t bother people in the building and that he “isn’t mad about it” all he wants, his reaction and what we know about this league says otherwise. This presser felt like pulling teeth and it makes one wonder if the relationship between the signal caller and the sideline general who has struggled on the job is hanging in the balance. Rodgers arrived at OTA’s a few weeks ago looking to get himself going towards a return to the field and really failed to instill confidence in the media or fans after he was seen moving gingerly. Coming off that Rodgers sighting a few weeks ago, it felt like it was paramount that he continue to practice and work himself up game speed but clearly, he didn’t agree with that.

No one is really sure why the future Hall of Famer is bailing out on mini-camp, and frankly it doesn’t matter. Whether he is at an RFK Jr. campaign event or bizarre darkness retreat in the mountains, number eight isn’t where he belongs, which is on the field with his teammates. Your quarterback is the most important person in the organization as they set the tone for the work ahead and with Rodgers not here, a very negative tone is being set for a pivotal season. He is now stabbing the coach (Saleh) and OC (Nathanial Hackett) that he vehemently fought to keep on the staff in the back with their jobs on the line. The roster was rumored to have grown frustrated with its “leader” last year as well and a stunt like this will only serve to enflame that further.

The professional facade that Rodgers arrived with last offseason is gone and it feels like the only thing that can drown out the negativity and the frustration amongst the local fan base is playing and playing well. The signal caller must get back to focusing on the game he long ago mastered playing at the highest level. No more radio interviews, no more rants on social issues or medicine, no more unnecessary absences. It’s hard to be a saint in the city…but it is time for Aaron Rodgers to get back to being Aaron Rodgers…the Jets 2024 campaign depends on it.

Soon enough this series will be back in full swing, and we will have NFL season previews coming out as kickoff approaches so stay tuned. You can find me on Twitter @YNWA9623 and subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. We have also launched a podcast which carries the same name as the Instagram account. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! Myself and the Ed’s will have Ranger’s offseason content coming your way and another special announcement in our collaboration coming soon. We’ll be back with more soon!