Aaron Rodgers’ Debut with Jets Ends in 32-19 Loss to 49ers
Aaron Rodgers made his much-anticipated return to the NFL, completing his first passes in 610 days, and debuting in a New York Jets jersey. However, the game against the San Francisco 49ers didn’t go as planned for the Jets, who suffered a 32-19 blowout loss. The team struggled with inconsistency and costly errors, leading to a rough start to the season.
Jets’ Offense Struggles in Rodgers’ First Full Game
In his first sustained action as the Jets’ starting quarterback, Rodgers led an offense plagued by miscues. Wide receiver Allen Lazard dropped a third-down conversion on the first drive, while running back Breece Hall fumbled on just the team’s fourth offensive play. The Jets failed to find a consistent rhythm, going three-and-out three times and turning the ball over twice, including a tipped interception off Rodgers.
Rodgers dismissed any notion that the lack of preseason action was to blame for the choppy performance. “That’s an excuse for sure. I’m not going to use that,” Rodgers said. “We expect greatness when we step on the field. There were moments that felt really good, but not sustained… I have to play better. We’ll bounce back next week.”
Bright Moments in an Otherwise Inconsistent Game
Despite the struggles, the Jets showed flashes of potential. Rodgers connected with star receiver Garrett Wilson multiple times, and Breece Hall found space in the defense, displaying the offense’s potential when things clicked. The offensive line protected Rodgers well, with only five of his 21 passes coming under pressure, according to Next Gen Stats.
The highlight of the game came on the Jets’ third possession, a 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that included several connections between Rodgers and Wilson. The drive, which lasted over seven minutes, was longer than any possession the Jets managed during the 2023 season. Rodgers also drew Niners edge rusher Leonard Floyd offside in the third quarter, leading to a deep touchdown pass to Allen Lazard, showcasing vintage Rodgers.
However, Rodgers acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “I missed a couple of throws… I missed the one to Garrett. The pick on the last drive, I missed slightly inside on that one.”
Defensive Woes and Missed Opportunities
While the Jets’ offense struggled with inconsistency, the defense faced significant challenges as well. San Francisco dominated time of possession, controlling the clock for 38:40 compared to the Jets’ 21:20. The Jets’ defense had difficulty stopping the 49ers’ efficient run game and struggled to contain their passing attack.
“We never really gave him a chance to get in rhythm,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said about Rodgers. “Defensively, credit to San Francisco, they did a great job running the ball… They executed a heck of a lot better than we did, and we have to be better.”
Looking Ahead: Tough Stretch for the Jets
After a disappointing season opener, the Jets will look to bounce back quickly. Over the next four weeks, they face Tennessee, New England, Denver, and Minnesota, giving them opportunities to regroup and build momentum.
Rodgers, ever the optimist, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to turn things around, noting that many of the mistakes made during the 49ers game were correctable. As the Jets continue to gel as a unit, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Rodgers can lead the team to success in the coming weeks.