Julian Edelman has big warning for Aaron Rodgers over minicamp decision

Oct 10, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) smiles during warmups before a game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Julian Edelman had a big warning for Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets over the recent drama involving the quarterback’s minicamp absence.

In an appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” this week, Edelman said Rodgers and the Jets will face serious questions if the team gets off to a slow start. Edelman also noted that Tom Brady never skipped a mandatory minicamp even once he was in his 40s.

.@Edelman11 says Aaron Rodgers missing mandatory minicamp is a bad look:

"If they go 1-3, this is going to be such a big distraction for that locker room." pic.twitter.com/WLrwwgln2r

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 21, 2024

“I know a lot of people do things differently, but God forbid the New York Jets start 1-3 to begin the season,” Edelman warned. “They start with the 49ers, Tennessee, Patriots, (Broncos). We all know that the Patriots are no good, but that defense is still the same defense. And that’s who Aaron goes against. If they go 1-3, this is gonna be such a big distraction for that locker room because everybody’s going to be talking about it.

“I think it’s a bad look for your leader for whatever reason to go and miss an unexcused absence. I mean, I was with Tom Brady in his 23rd year, and he started missing OTAs here and there, but he was still there — never missed a mandatory minicamp.”

Edelman is correct that the questions will begin if Rodgers or the Jets do not perform well. For now, this does not appear to be an issue. There have even been some suggestions that Rodgers’ absence was, paradoxically, one the Jets were okay with even if they did not excuse it.

No matter what, the Rodgers situation has already created an avoidable distraction. The Jets can only hope it is largely forgotten by September.