Aaron Rodgers was in Egypt during the New York Jets mandatory mini-camp, causing an unexcused absence, but his focus should be on helping the Jets win a Super Bowl.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (PIX11) -- NFL training camps are right around the corner, and we now know exactly where Aaron Rodgers was, which caused him to have an unexcused absence from the New York Jets mandatory mini-camp in Florham Park, N.J.
He was in Egypt.
A planned trip that, when Rodgers made the plans, they did not know would run against the Jet's mandatory mini-camp.
Should he have been there?
Yes.
Is he a little bit of a fraud when he stated after last season the focus needed to be football, and he is in Egypt as the Jets are running their mini-camp?
Absolutely.
But, as I stated before, in this space, it will have little to no impact on the Jets and Rodgers during the course of the regular season. It should have been handled better by Head Coach Robert Saleh and the Jets public relations department, and the term unexcused did not cover all things.
But the great equalizer, as it always is in professional sports, the performance will lead the way. Rodgers needs to let his play dictate that this is a non-story. He needs to stay healthy and needs to play brilliantly.
If he does, the Jets will be in a good position. They will win games, and the haters will keep quiet. If he does not, well, you know the deal.
So, he was not in a darkness retreat. It had nothing to do with Ayahuasca. He went to Egypt to see the Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley of the Kings Tombs.
It dates back to the time of the pharaohs. It is a true bucket list item. After all, you only live once.
How about this, though, Aaron?
You have been in the league for two decades. You know the NFL calendar. Plan the trip around mini-camp.
I have no issues with people wanting to see the world, but as your team practiced and connected in Florham Park during mini-camp, you focused on yourself and your goals. That is what upset so many. It gives you a look into the man.
Now, the focus has to be solely on why you are here: to help the Jets win a Super Bowl.
Until next time, New York, I'm Marc Malusis.
