Sauce Gardner sends strong message about Aaron Rodgers missing minicamp

Dec 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) on the field after the game against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers may not have had permission from the New York Jets to miss mandatory minicamp this week, but the decision was perfectly fine with at least one of his star teammates.

Rodgers did not attend the Jets’ two-day minicamp on Tuesday and Wednesday. Head coach Robert Saleh said the absence was unexcused but that Rodgers told the team the 40-year-old quarterback had to attend an event that was very important to him.

Naturally, many fans and members of the media have accused Rodgers of being selfish and creating a distraction for the Jets. Star quarterback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner had a strong message for those critics.

“Are y’all really making a big deal because a 15+ year HOF QB missed 2 days of practice after being with the team all throughout Phase 1, 2, & 3 of OTA’s?? GG’s,” Gardner wrote in a post on X Thursday night.

Are y'all really making a big deal because a 15+ year HOF QB missed 2 days of practice after being with the team all throughout Phase 1, 2, & 3 of OTA's?? GG's.

— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) June 14, 2024

Though Rodgers did not have permission to miss minicamp, Saleh said the four-time MVP has been in communication with the team. According to one report, Rodgers planned a trip while he was rehabbing from his torn Achilles, and the Jets knew he would not be at minicamp when the schedule came out.

It remains unclear where Rodgers was, but the Jets obviously do not feel the “trip” should have taken precedent over minicamp. That does not mean the quarterback’s teammates are bothered, and Gardner’s reaction is probably a good indicator of where Jets players stand.

Many fans made the same joke about what they think Rodgers was doing instead of practicing this week.