Jets cancel next week’s mandatory minicamp in favor of extra rest ahead of Hall of Fame game

The Jets were scheduled to hold a mandatory minicamp next week but have opted to take an early vacation instead.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh told media on Wednesday morning that Gang Green will skip the three-day session next week. Basically, the Jets won’t hold the mandatory minicamp next week because the team (along with the Cleveland Browns) will report to training camp a week earlier than the rest of the league since they will be playing in the annual preseason Hall of Fame game on Aug. 3.

“Guys need to get away,” Saleh said. “We’ve been here, they’ve put in a really good offseason, all the guys have since April. So, they’ve been here.

“Just to give the guys an extra week of rest. You need a week off and you gotta rev back up and get ready for the season. Having an extra week, taking a week off, there’s a lot of things that can mess up the flow.”

It makes sense why the Jets are skipping next week’s session. They would be at a disadvantage if they held a minicamp next week. Thirty teams will have six weeks off before training camp begins around July 27-28. The Jets and the Browns will likely hold their first training camp session on July 21 or 22.

Most of the Jets players have been present during their offseason program, which began in April before the official trade for Aaron Rodgers on April 26. One of the players who has been absent is defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who has been seeking a contract extension before the start of the season.

Williams told reporters in January that he wouldn’t attend OTAs, which are optional and has kept his promise to this point. Also, Williams and his wife recently had their first child this month. Williams will make $9.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract, which is all guaranteed.

Before it was canceled, there was a question on whether Williams would attend mandatory minicamp. Now, Williams won’t be subject to fines for an unexcused absence which has a maximum fine of $15,515 for the first missed day, $31,030 for the second and $46,540 for the third (up to $93,085 total).

While the Jets haven’t extended Williams, several defensive tackles have been paid this offseason. Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver was given a four-year extension worth $68 million over the weekend. The deal includes $45 million guaranteed.

If Williams doesn’t receive a contract extension before training camp and he refuses to show up, the Jets could fine him $40,000 to $50,000 a day.

“I speak for everyone — I probably speak for Quinnen in that we all want this to get done sooner rather than later,” Saleh said. “I’ll let the business guys handle all that stuff, but it’s going to get done.

“He’ll be here for camp, he’ll be ready to roll and once he is, I’m sure it’ll be the same guy who was here.”