The interesting factor to me is that I have absolutely no problem with Chase making the decision to rehab as he sees fit. Especially considering the state and history of the teams training staff.
He is probably better served sticking with the protocol he chose and I see no need for him to delay or interrupt that program in order to just ‘be around’ the team. Rivera made it a bigger issue than it needed to be by harping on it.
I see this as a completely different situation than last offseason. I gave him no benefit of the doubt for that. He needs to take the very best path towards being ready for camp. If that is conducted remotely, so be it.
Now, Sweat not attending? That is a bigger and more questionable behavior for me.
Thats fine... if that's what he chooses, but like Rivera and Co with some of the decisions they've made regarding personnel... he better be right. If he's going to choose to rehab away from the team... he will not get the 'benefit of the doubt' if the rehab process pushes long. If he's unable to be as explosive, or powerful, people will start wondering if it was his rehab process. If he shows up 'out of shape,' the conversations will be starting about if he's even got a future in the league. If he's out of position, people start talking about how he was not with the team during the offseason. If nothing else, as Boone just pointed out... it appears tone-deaf.
It opens the questions about his mentality, and what his priorities are. Again, none of this stuff is a 'red flag' at this point.. he just better be right. Stumbling out of the gate, the questions are going to start flying. If he comes back and balls out, nobody will care... if he doesnt....