NFL mandatory minicamp overreactions: Should Aaron Rodgers have been with Jets? Will Bengals sign both WRs?

The NFL’s mandatory minicamp season is in full swing, with 22 of the 32 teams completing Phase Three of their offseason programs this week. The other teams wrapped up their spring season last week, getting an early start on the summer.

With league-wide mandatory minicamps in full effect, there are plenty of stories making headlines around the NFL in mid-June. Which stories this week were overreactions, and which deserve attention as summer approaches?

Aaron Rodgers should be at Jets’ mandatory minicamp

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Rodgers had an unexcused absence from the first practice of the Jets’ mandatory minicamp because of an event that is important to him. That’s good for the Jets, but it’s not something they can distribute to just one player. Rodgers will be fined for a day and he and the Jets will move on.

This is just the first practice Rodgers has missed, as the quarterback has been present for every voluntary practice. Missing a practice in June does not mean missing a training camp practice in August for a similar event.

The Jets may not be happy with Rodgers’ absence, but they can’t allow every player on their team to miss practice for “events” that arise. In fact, the Jets are to blame for making this a headline when it didn’t need to be.

This story is a nothing burger.

The Jets should have given Haason Reddick a contract extension when they traded for him

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Why did the Jets trade for Reddick and think a change of scenery was what he wanted? Reddick never wanted to leave the Philadelphia Eagles, but he wanted a long-term extension and wanted to be paid as one of the best pass rushers in football. Being traded to another team wouldn’t change that.

The Jets traded for Reddick and did not immediately agree to a long-term extension. This was a huge oversight by the front office, especially with Reddick only making $15 million in the final year of his contract. Reddick is the 19th-highest-paid edge rusher in football, clearly underpaid for a player who has four consecutive double-digit sack seasons (only Myles Garrett has done that in the last four years). He also ranks fourth in the league in sacks since the start of the 2020 season (50.5).

Reddick deserves to be paid among the best edge rushers in the game, even for a player who will turn 30 this year. The Jets should have given him the extension as soon as they traded for Reddick, as most of these deals typically happen after a trade is made.

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

The Bengals received excellent news when Chase was mandatory minicamp gift, despite his previous absence and the desire for a new contract. Of the 2020 and 2021 wide receivers, Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith each earned more than $25 million per year in their contract extensions. Chase will certainly surpass $30 million.

Cincinnati will make sure Chase is signed, but what about Higgins? The $21.8 million franchise tag was awarded to Higgins, but he has yet to sign it in hopes of a long-term extension. Will the Bengals give him one or settle for an amended one-year contract before allowing him to test free agency?

With the wide receiver market inflating, it will be significantly more difficult to pay Higgins as the Bengals will have to sign Chase. Higgins will also likely look to be paid among the top 10 wide receivers in the game.

The Bengals will have cap space through 2025 and beyond, but Chase is the priority. Signing both is the challenge this offseason.

Daniel Jones is hurting the Giants’ chances of winning by starting at QB

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Jones is still recovering from last year’s ACL injury and will be out of team practice during mandatory minicamp. This gives Drew Lock the opportunity to work with the first team at 7-on-7 and 11-on-11, giving him more reps with Malik Nabers, Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson – ones Jones could be getting as the team’s QB1.

While Jones is expected to be ready for training camp, Lock is getting those valuable reps this offseason while Jones is recovering. Jones is this team’s starting quarterback and will be once training camp begins.

Could Lock have an advantage over Jones because of minicamp reps? Sure, but Jones will start for the Giants in Week 1. Rehabilitating a torn ACL won’t cost Jones his job. His play on the field this fall is a different story.

Browns will not sign Amari Cooper to contract extension after season

Overreaction or reality: Reality

The Browns have an interesting decision to make regarding Cooper, who did not attend mandatory minicamp despite being in a contract year. Cooper is clearly Cleveland’s No. 1 wide receiver, coming off a season in which he had 72 receptions for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns (17.4 yards per reception).

Over the past two seasons, Cooper is eighth in receiving yards (2,410) and 10th in yards per reception (16.1). That’s a lot of value for a player who makes just $20 million a year (tied for 20th in the league). NFL).

The wide receiver market has ballooned this offseason and is only going to go up. How much will Cooper make if he has another season with 70+ receptions and 1,110+ receiving yards (and he only has 30)? Will the Browns pay Cooper more than $28 million a year?

Keep in mind that Cleveland is also projected to be $42.9 million over the salary cap next year. There may not be room to sign Cooper next offseason, no matter how well he produces.