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Jets QB Aaron Rodgers missed mandatory minicamp due to a pre-planned trip to Egypt.

Advice: Multiple sources confirmed that the veteran quarterback’s absence from mandatory minicamp was due to a pre-planned trip to Egypt and that the Jets were made aware of the trip from the initial planning. Rodgers was present during every practice in phase one, missed one week of phase two, and attended all portions of organized team activities earlier in the Spring and Summer prior to his absence during minicamp. Even so, additional repetitions would do Rodgers well considering his reliance on intricate timing and trust to run the offense, both of which he has largely lacked while with the Jets after his 2023 season ended following just two offensive snaps. Head coach Robert Saleh joined Rodgers’ teammates in relaying a message that nothing was awry following Rodgers’ absence in late June. Rotoworld Today, 4:04 pm

The Athletic’s Chad Graff reports QB Jacoby Brissett “is the starter.”

Advice: Brissett, the journeyman who last started for the Browns in 2022, “took all of the first-team reps, and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt made clear that wasn’t a fluke, referring to Brissett as the starter,” according to Graff. First-rounder Drake Maybe, Graff said, will have to be the “clear winner” in a training camp competition with Brissett if he’s going to take over as New England’s opening day starter. “If the competition between them is even close, Brissett is probably under center in the opener,” Graff said. Brissett was solid as Cleveland’s starter in 2022, ranking third among all QBs in completion rate over expected and throwing 12 touchdowns along with six interceptions through ten starts. Maye will likely get the starting job once the Patriots’ season goes sideways and they are no longer in playoff contention. Rotoworld Saturday, 6:06 am

Ravens signed WR Keith Kirkwood, formerly of the Saints.

Advice: Kirkwood has spent the majority of his career with the Saints after joining them as a UDFA out of Temple in 2018. The veteran receiver participated in the Ravens’ minicamp on a tryout basis earlier this month and will now have a chance to stick on the 53-man roster in training camp. Kirkwood has caught 24 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns in his career and will need to flash on special teams if he hopes to make the team. Rotoworld Friday, 1:11 pm

The Athletic’s Paul Dehner reports Bengals running backs have been “far more active” in the team’s passing game in offseason practices.

Advice: It’s unclear who will take on the Bengals’ primary pass-catching role out of the backfield, though Chase Brown excelled in that role as a rookie in 2023. The speedy Brown caught 14 of his 15 targets for 156 yards and a touchdown last season. Zack Moss could also mix in on passing downs, though he seems more likely to take on Cincinnati’s primary early down role. Last season, Joe Mixon saw an 11 percent target share (64 targets) as the team’s lead back. More pass-game usage could be a huge statistical boon for Brown if he seizes the pass catching role this summer. Rotoworld Friday, 10:10 am

Wilson remains the clear favorite to start Week 1 under center for Pittsburgh and has made a good impression on his new coaching staff throughout OTAs and June minicamp, Chris Ward of SteelersNow.com reports.

Advice: Wilson has impressed with arm talent and leadership throughout spring activities, per Mark Kaboldy of The Athletic, and he's reportedly dominated first-team reps to this point. Justin Fields could push for more opportunities during training camp, but for the time being, there's been nothing to suggest any shift from coach Mike Tomlin's remark early in the offseason that Wilson is in the "pole position" to start Week 1 under center. Experience and consistency alone could make enough difference for Wilson, a 35-year-old veteran, to win the starting gig over Fields, but he'll face pressure to keep Pittsburgh in the playoff race, given that he's playing on only a one-year contract. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 10:33 am