Maybe the first song played over the loudspeakers in Jets training camp will be “Walk like an Egyptian.”
Aaron Rodgers, who is returning from a season-ending torn Achilles, confirmed reports Friday that he was in Egypt when he missed mandatory minicamp in June after participating in all voluntary OTAs.
He will be back in Florham Park, N.J. when Jets’ veterans report to training camp on July 23.
“I felt good all spring,” Rodgers told NBC Sports while playing in the American Century Championship golf tournament. “Had a nice OTAs. Had a beautiful trip to Egypt. And this is like the last marker – summer is over on Sunday. Walking up (hole) 18 is like super bittersweet, but it’s fun to be out here.”
The Jets were aware of Rodgers’ longstanding plans to visit Egypt but termed his absence “unexcused” and thus subject to fines because it would set a bad example to excuse one star from a mandatory camp for a non-emergent matter.
The practice format for OTAs and spring minicamp is essentially the same.
Rodgers, 40, played just four snaps for the Jets last season, cutting short a Super Bowl hype train that slowly is regaining steam as he returns to a roster loaded with high-end talent.
“My Achilles feels good,” Rodgers said. “I felt really good at the end of last year. Then there’s kind of a … there’s always that kind of plateau part. It’s just about getting back into it.”
Jets fans are hoping that Rodgers’ post-surgery return to the football field is as smooth as his return to the links.
“My first round out, I was fortunate or lucky enough to make an ace at 17 at Shadow Creek,” Rodgers said, referring to a golf course in Las Vegas. “That’s been the highlight of my golf offseason.”
Rodgers will become just the 10th quarterback in NFL history to throw a pass in his age-41 season if he stays healthy during the summer.