Packers: No Surprise, Aaron Rodgers Not Expected at Mini-Camp

Tomorrow is June 8th, which marks the first of the three-day mandatory mini-camp for the Green Bay Packers. And, to what shouldn’t much of a surprise, Aaron Rodgers reportedly will not be present.

There’s no real need to dive into what has transpired since the NFL Draft between these two parties. For starters, we are all well aware of the situation since it has dominated the headlines, but it’s also been difficult to decipher what is real and what is just nonsense.

Basically, what we know at this point is that Rodgers is unhappy, the Green Bay Packers aren’t trading him, and Green Bay has stated that he is their quarterback moving forward.

So while Rodgers missing the mandatory mini-camp will be all over in the internet, as I’ve said previously, I would call this noteworthy but not necessarily newsworthy. Rodgers is subject to fines of up to $93,085 if he were to miss all three days, but a report from Adam Schefter stated that the Green Bay Packers have considered waiving the penalty and would issue him an excused absence.

However, even if Green Bay doesn’t waive the fines, I find it hard to believe that money was ever a motivating factor here. Rodgers just missed out on a $500,000 workout bonus by missing OTAs; I imagine he isn’t terribly concerned about having to pay $93,000.

I also don’t believe that Rodgers’ absence means that things are irreconcilable between the two parties either. Mini-camp is three days of light practice at the beginning of June, and for Rodgers, who is entering his third season in the Matt LaFleur offense and his 17th NFL season overall, there isn’t exactly a lot to gain from attending. It’s not like LaFleur is going to be implementing anything new into the playbook.

The real date that we all need to circle on our calendars is when training camp begins. If Rodgers is absent at that point, the fines, as noted in the CBA, will be $50,000 per day, and the organization can start going after Rodgers’ base salary and roster bonus as well—now we are talking real money.

Between that aspect and the fact that preseason games begin shortly after camp begins, and then the regular season isn’t too far off in the distance either if Rodgers is again absent at that time, then there will be cause for concern. But right now? On June 7th? I wouldn’t read too much into it. Again, it’s noteworthy,  but training camp is the real date to watch.

As I’ve said for some time now, I believe an extension gets worked out, which will ultimately provide Rodgers with the stability and job security he desires because the added money infused into his current deal will make it nearly impossible for Green Bay to move on from him in the coming years. But we will have to wait and see.

While Rodgers may not be present, some good news is that Davante Adams will be in attendance, as is the rest of the receiving corps—so no, there was no boycott in support of the reigning MVP. This also means more reps for Jordan Love, something that is greatly needed considering the limited playing and practice time he saw a year ago and more opportunities for the coaches to see him in action.