© Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com
Jets' Cancelled Minicamp Makes for Early Start to Summer in Florham Park
One Jets Drive would've been bustling today.
Reporters would've been standing by on "Quinnen Williams Watch."
Others would be eager to catch a glimpse of Aaron Rodgers's first minicamp as a Jet.
The buzz from New York Jets' mandatory minicamp would've surely emanated across the National Football League.
Head coach Robert Saleh, however, killed that buzz before it even started.
Seemingly content with the work that his team put in during nine weeks of springtime OTAs, Saleh gave his players a refreshing reward by cancelling the team's scheduled minicamp (June 13-15).
"We’ve been here, they’ve put in a really good off-season, all the guys have since April," said Saleh prior to a June 6 OTAs practice. "Just to give the guys an extra week to go take their break because you need a week off and then you got to rev back up to get ready for the season."
Saleh's generosity was fueled by Gang Green's participation in the 2023 Hall of Fame Game on August 3.
"With the Hall of Fame game, we’re reporting a week earlier than everybody else and guys need to get away," said Saleh.
NFL teams can ask veterans to report to training camp 15 days prior to the first preseason game date.
The Jets and the Browns kick off the NFL Preseason schedule seven days earlier than any other team. They also have four scheduled preseason games while the other 30 franchises are slated to play only three summertime exhibitions.
READ Players Dismissed until Training Camp as Jets Close Out OTAs
"We have the first preseason game that everybody loves, the Hall of Fame Game, which means we come back a week early," said veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will eventually have a bust in Canton. "So, giving us some more time out of the building I think is really important for guys to at least take a week to vacation to clear their head."
In his first season with the Jets after 18 years in Green Bay, Rodgers has spent the last six weeks becoming acclimated in his new surroundings. The transition has been smoother than most due to the fact that the veteran field general has prior experience in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's scheme.
"I like where we’re at and I appreciate, as every player does, that Rob [Saleh] cut the last week," said the 39-year old Rodgers following the team's final OTAs session.
QB Aaron Rodgers at Jets' OTAs
© Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com
Rodgers will head to the West Coast for both work and pleasure. He has a Lake Tahoe trip on the docket and plans to train as well.
Rodgers did not rule out linking up with select Jets teammates for impromptu workouts.
"Mecole [Hardman] really wants to get together. Most people probably don’t mind coming all the way out to the West Coast, but we got to figure out schedule-wise," said Rodgers.
Prior to leaving town, Rodgers kicked off his short summer by attending an Ed Sheeran concert at MetLife Stadium on Saturday followed by the Tony Awards in Manhattan on Sunday.
"I’m excited to get away, refresh and then come back ready for the journey," said Rodgers.
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