How Jets’ Aaron Rodgers fared in long-awaited return, 2024 plus what it means for veteran QB and team going forward
Aaron Rodgers made his return to the NFL on Monday because the Jets quarterback performed in his first sport since struggling a season-ending Achilles tear to start the 2023 season. The stage was almost similar for Rodgers. New York was taking part in below the lights of “Monday Evening Soccer” to start the season in Week 1, which is precisely the place he went down with the damage a yr in the past. This time round, Rodgers was in a position to get out of the sport wholesome, however not because the victor. Within the Jets’ 32-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Rodgers flashed some glimpses of his former MVP self, however the New York offense was largely marred with inconsistency within the shedding effort.
On the opening drive of the sport, Rodgers solely dropped again to go as soon as, approaching a third-and-3 try on the New York 37-yard line. The 40-year-old signal-caller hit Allen Lazard squarely within the fingers, however the veteran receiver dropped the ball, leading to a Jets punt. Rodgers then had a shuffle go to Breece Corridor on the primary play of New York’s second drive, which the again fumbled to offer the ball to San Francisco.
By way of the primary couple of drives of the sport, Rodgers did not do an excessive amount of, however that was largely resulting from circumstances round him. One of many peaks for Rodgers on this Week 1 opener got here throughout New York’s third possession. He helped orchestrate a 12-play, 70-yard scoring drive that culminated in a goal-line run by Corridor. It was throughout this drive had been we acquired a glimpse of what this offense is able to.
Rodgers accomplished all however one in all his seven makes an attempt on the drive, together with three completions on third down, Every of these conversions went to Garrett Wilson, and the connection between the quarterback-receiver duo appeared to be in midseason type at that juncture. Rodgers first hit him on a back-shoulder throw up the left sideline to transform on a third-and-8.
The duo linked three performs later over the center on a third-and-7 to maneuver the chains.
The ultimate conversion on the drive introduced the Jets into the crimson zone with Wilson sliding simply previous the sticks.
Whereas that confirmed arguably the ceiling of what the offense below Rodgers is able to, the unit ran sizzling in chilly on this sport. That was one in all their higher collection of the night time, however then they posted back-to-back three-and-outs earlier than halftime. Rodgers appeared to maneuver round effective within the pocket, however the veteran quarterback appeared a contact gradual when he wanted to maneuver outdoors of it to keep away from stress, together with on this sack from Leonard Floyd (who coincidentally was the one who hit him when he tore his Achilles final yr).
Whereas Rodgers threw an interception on this loss, it is arduous to pin the turnover solely on the four-time MVP. Sure, Rodgers confronted stress in a collapsing pocket and compelled the ball in a good window to Wilson, however the ball bounced instantly into the arms of Niners linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles in what was a stroke of powerful luck. Regardless, that turnover led to extra factors for San Francisco because the membership constructed its lead much more.
Bear in mind how we stated this Rodgers-led offense ran cold and warm on Monday? Nicely, the second possession of the second half for New York was the ultimate time it was really buzzing. Rodgers had two classic throws throughout this stretch, each of which went to former Packers buddy Allen Lazard. The primary was a laser on the left sideline.
The second throw was a play Rodgers has made well-known all through his profession. After the 49ers jumped offsides, Rodgers had a free play and tossed up a deep shot down the center of the sector to Lazard, who walked in for the 36-yard landing. On the time, the published famous it was Rodgers’ 18th profession passing landing on a free play.
That was actually the spotlight of Rodgers’ night time. In the meantime, the lowlight, in my estimation, got here with below eight minutes to play in regulation. After failing to transform on third-and-1, the Jets saved the offense on the sector attempting to chop into the 29-13 lead. Rodgers dropped again and had Wilson over the center for the conversion, however appeared to throw the ball a contact behind him, permitting a 49ers defender to disrupt the go. The outcome was a turnover on downs.
Tyrod Taylor got here in to alleviate Rodgers for the ultimate minutes of the sport. On the night time, Rodgers accomplished 13 of his 21 go makes an attempt for 167 yards, a landing, and an interception. Whereas there have been glimpses of what he might be on this Jets offense, the quarterback might want to produce a extra constant product out of himself and the offense as a complete.