Ever since Aaron Rodgers missed the mandatory minicamp this offseason, he has invited scathing criticism from all corners of the NFL world. Former Rams WR Torry Holt is the latest to take shots at the QB. In his recent appearance in “The Herd,” the former Rams star shared why Rodgers’ actions were “totally unacceptable” to him.
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Torry first explained to the viewers the importance of the mandatory minicamp in the buildup to the season. The former WR explained that the minicamps are the first time when the entire roster meets, which is significantly important for team building, chemistry, and settling into new strategies. Thus, for Torry, the Jets’ main man missing the minicamp is the biggest blow for the struggling franchise.
“It’s when the coach steps in there and says here’s where we’re going; here’s what we’re trying to accomplish and your main guy not [being] there is certainly a cause of concern for me. It would be eating me up if I’m not in minicamp with my teammates like I can’t even stomach that.”
Torry then recalled that the only time he missed a training camp was when he was negotiating for a better contract. Other than that, he finds no reason adequate enough, except for a family emergency, to miss the mandatory minicamp.
With Rodgers’ reason for missing the camp still unknown, Holt argued that this might send a message of favoritism to his teammates—a feeling that no one wants in the camp.
“Aaron Rodgers already knows that the pressure is on but the message that I think that it’s it’s sending to your teammates is that I’m still a little bit above everyone.”
Unfortunately for Holt, Aaron doesn’t seem to care much, as he was recently spotted enjoying himself at UFC 303.
A-Rod Makes First Public Appearance After the Minicamp Controversy
Yesterday, while Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka were duking it out in the cage, the four-time MVP was spotted at the arena with a familiar face. After a carousel of pictures surfaced, fans observed that Rodgers was at UFC 303 with his former Green Bay Packers teammate, Marcedes Lewis.
With Rodgers still not having announced the reason for his absence from the minicamp, his appearance at UFC’s PPV event was not well received by the Jets faithful. But things are not all gloomy for the fans. Despite the disciplinary issues, Rodgers was praised by former teammate Marquez Valdez-Scantling for being in terrific shape during his recent media appearance.
MVS, who has been friends with Rodgers ever since their time together with the Packers, said he had hit Rodgers up on a recent visit to LA and had actually run a few routes with him.
“So, we got it in, went out to some high school, and ran some routes together. We’re good. It was good.”
Once again, we enter the NFL season with all the spotlight on Aaron Rodgers. However, the stakes are much higher this time because no one knows if he is the same anymore. After a serious Achilles injury forced him to miss the entirety of the 2023 season, and with age catching up, it’s hard to overlook the fact that he is nearing retirement.
Moreover, acts of negligence like missing the minicamp are also not inspiring confidence in the minds of the Jets faithful. Arguably, the star quarterback has a lot to prove this season.
