Sauce Gardner was not feeling the criticism that his quarterback Aaron Rodgers faced for missing day one of mandatory New York Jets minicamp.
Gardner posted this fiery Tweet clapping back at detractors who blamed Rodgers for prioritizing outside obligations over football with the 2024 NFL campaign drawing nearer by the day (h/t Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells):
Jets: Sauce Gardner put no gravity on Aaron Rodgers’ minicamp absence
Rodgers was away from the team due to an unexcused reason. The no-show did not anger Jets head coach Robert Saleh, but was the topic of conversation for days with the four-time NFL MVP heading into a 2024 campaign with major expectations on his shoulders.
That did not matter to Gardner, who viewed Rodgers’ missing presence as nothing to worry about, especially given his track record as an elite talent who has not seen a drop-off in play in his entire career as a starter.
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Gardner is confident in Rodgers returning at HOF level and leading the Jets to wins in 2024
From the tone of his words, it is apparent that the standout cornerback has an unwavering belief that Rodgers’ untimely absence won’t affect the team in any way. They still have an entire summer to look forward to which will prepare them for preseason action and ultimately the 2024 regular season.
Rodgers tore his ACL in Week 1 of 2023. He is healthy after an offseason of focused training, and camaraderie building with his rookie slot receiver Malachi Corley. The expectation is that the California native will be ready to wage a Super Bowl run with the Jets this year and headline the candidates for Comeback Player of the Year. Gardner’s praise of his QB’s credentials does more than insinuate his confidence in Rodgers meshing with his teammates, as he’s proven time and again for nearly two decades.