How Jets' Aaron Rodgers fared in long-awaited return, plus what it means for veteran QB and group going ahead

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 practically equivalent for Rodgers. New York was taking part in beneath 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 12 months 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 dropping effort. 

On the opening drive of the sport, Rodgers solely dropped again to move 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 move to Breece Hall on the primary play of New York’s second drive, which the again fumbled to offer the ball to San Francisco. 

Via the primary couple of drives of the sport, Rodgers did not do an excessive amount of, however that was largely as a consequence of 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 have been we acquired a glimpse of what this offense is able to. 

Rodgers accomplished all however considered one of 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 gave the impression to be in midseason kind 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 beneath Rodgers is able to, the unit ran scorching in chilly on this sport. That was considered one of their higher sequence of the evening, however then they posted back-to-back three-and-outs earlier than halftime. Rodgers appeared to maneuver round high-quality within the pocket, however the veteran quarterback appeared a contact gradual when he wanted to maneuver exterior 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 12 months). 

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 immediately 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. 

Keep in mind how we stated this Rodgers-led offense ran cold and hot on Monday? Nicely, the second possession of the second half for New York was the ultimate time it was actually 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 definitely the spotlight of Rodgers’ evening. In the meantime, the lowlight, in my estimation, got here with beneath eight minutes to play in regulation. After failing to transform on third-and-1, the Jets stored 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 move. The outcome was a turnover on downs. 

Tyrod Taylor got here in to alleviate Rodgers for the ultimate minutes of the sport. On the evening, Rodgers accomplished 13 of his 21 move makes an attempt for 167 yards, a landing, and an interception. Whereas there have been glimpses of what he could possibly be on this Jets offense, the quarterback might want to produce a extra constant product out of himself and the offense as a complete.