Aaron Rodgers returned to live game action for the first time since tearing his Achilles in the New York Jets' 2023 season opener, but it wasn't exactly a night to remember.
The good news is that Rodgers remained healthy throughout the Monday Night Football affair while showing plenty of pop left in his Hall-of-Fame right arm. On the negative side, the Jets suffered a huge disparity in time of possession and were unable to extend drives at key point during the 32-19 road loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
While the 40-year-old Rodgers should not be blamed for the job that the 49ers' rushing offense did on the Jets' defense, his stat line simply needs to be better, significantly better.
Rodgers, who was pulled in the fourth quarter in favor of Tyrod Taylor for precautionary reasons, finished 13-of-21 passing for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
By comparison, Zach Wilson, stepping in for Rodgers during the 2023 Monday Night Football opener, went 14-of-21 passing for 140 yards, one touchdown and one interception in an overtime win over the Buffalo Bills. Wilson, the 2021 No. 2 overall draft pick who was traded away this past offseason, currently sits third on the Denver Broncos' depth chart behind rookie Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham.
"I can play better. I missed a couple of throws. I missed the one to [WR] Garrett [Wilson], the last drive I was in, the pick. I missed slightly inside on that one. I felt overall I was getting the ball out pretty good. We had some opportunities I’d like back," said Rodgers.
There were two third-down incompletions and one sack that led to first-half punts. Early in the fourth quarter, Rodgers failed to convert on 2nd-and-1 and 4th-and-1 with both passes falling incomplete.
On the contrary, Rodgers delivered two beautiful strikes to his WR1 on New York's first touchdown drive. He also dropped a beauty into Allen Lazard for a 36-yard touchdown.
The Jets have clearly upgraded the quarterback position by putting Rodgers at the controls, but the results need to be better than what they got from the exiled Wilson.
More New York Jets News:
• Jets' two key offseason WR additions complete non-factors in season opener
• Jets sign former Vikings' All-Pro kick returner
• Jets make three 2023 draft picks inactive for season opener vs. 49ers
• Jets add former Packers' center, Dolphins' linebacker to active roster
• Head coach confident in Jets' pass rush, unfazed by star DE holdout
